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FILLING IN THE WHITE SPACES
Local artist Laura Martindale to show Alchemy Coffee
 
alchemy artist month west of
Self-taught painter and muralist Laura Martindale finds inspiration for her work in the world around her
 
By Andy Lassiter
Contributing Writer
 
As a self-taught artist, Laura Martindale is living her dream by doing the work she loves: painting. Only in her late 20s, Martindale is an accomplished muralist and faux finisher, who has taken on quite a few major projects around town, including a large floor painting at the Charleston Place Hotel. She has stayed busy over the past several years primarily with murals and large scale projects, but also does work in graphic design, logo design, portraits, and oil paintings. A show of her studio work will start at 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29 at Alchemy Coffee, and will stay up for about four weeks.
 
After graduating from Summerville High School in 2000, Martindale went on to pursue a fine arts degree at Coker College in Florence. She has been a student of art her entire life, but never had enough time to pursue all her interests. Initially getting work through word-of-mouth, she is now pursuing her art as her career. Since October, Martindale has taken her business, myARTISTICi, full time.
 
Although she can tackle a variety of styles, Martindale is always thrilled to work on murals because of collaborative nature of the process. She says she enjoys working with clients to help them realize their vision for a space or room. The process of transforming an empty room into a creative space is inspiration for Martindale's murals. "It's so exciting," she says. "I have customers tell me what they're wanting. I go in and there's nothing there but white walls. After I'm done with the mural and the furniture's in, the room comes together and they are just so excited."
 
Martindale primarily uses acrylic paints on her murals, but prefers to paint with oil on canvas. Much of her inspiration comes from the people around her, as she aims to create work all people will enjoy and appreciate. The opening this Friday will feature Martindale's most recent canvas works. The paintings being displayed will cover a variety of subject matter, as well as some abstract and figurative work. Some of her work will include military-themed paintings, renderings of various aircraft, portraits, as well as an iconic oversized oil painting of Willie Nelson.
 
Local jewelry designer Nikki Cook will also have her work on display at the Jan. 29 opening. Light fare and beverages will be provided.
 
Alchemy Coffee is located at 11 Magnolia Road in Avondale Point. You can get a taste of Laura's work at her website www.myartistici.com.