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Laura Ahola-Young received her MFA from San Jose State University in 2001. She currently resides in Pocatello, Idaho where she is an Associate Professor of Art at Idaho State University. Originally from northern Minnesota, Laura has been influenced by landscapes, winters, ice and resilience. She is currently developing work that incorporates scientific research, the Pacific Northwest and personal narrative.
Published on March 14th, 2022. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What are you currently excited about in your art practice?
I have been on sabbatical for Fall 2021, and have used the time away from teaching to immerse myself in research on plants, algae and photosynthesis. I have worked with scientists, studied and read extensively and had multiple artist residencies. I took four months and lived in a small travel trailer in Northern Minnesota - hiking the Superior Hiking Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I spent a lot of time exploring the boreal forest, collecting plant and lichen species for an herbarium. All these experiences have renewed my energy and focus. I have developed a whole new body of work based on algae and have enough new materials, knowledge and ideas for several bodies of work.
What were some of the challenges you faced last year as an artist? Was your work/ art practice affected by the pandemic this year, if so how?
I have been on sabbatical Fall 2021 and have used the time away from teaching to immerse myself in research on plants, algae and photosynthesis. I have worked with scientists, studied and read extensively and had multiple artist residencies. I took four months and lived in a small travel trailer in Northern Minnesota - hiking the Superior Hiking Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I spent a lot of time exploring the boreal forest, collecting plant and lichen species for an herbarium. All these experiences have renewed my energy and focus. I have developed a whole new body of work based on algae and have enough new materials, knowledge and ideas for several bodies of work.
What does a typical day in the studio (or wherever you're making work) look like for you these days? What time of day are you at your studio, what are your studio must haves (ex: music, coffee, tools, etc), and what does your creative space look like?
Through the Rural Aesthetic Initiative (Minnesota), I secured a unique artist residency- I painted for three months in a travel trailer/ice house on rural property in Northern Minnesota. The space itself was 6 feet by 8 feet- quite a challenge. The limitation of space meant thinking ahead and preparing in new ways, as I need to plan for all the wall space and materials. The ice house had solar power and natural lighting.
I spent an additional month as an artist-in-residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony (Minnesota). I was able to use a large, beautiful studio space. Both these experiences were absolutely amazing and completely outside of my comfort zone. I tend to be a bit reclusive and I am attached to my own studio spaces at my home in ways I have now just realized from these new experiences.
Coffee, music, podcasts are my constant companions in the studio. I also enjoy silence while painting.
What resources for artists have you found helpful that may be helpful for other artists?
Artist residencies! I had not had any artist residencies until this year. Perhaps my attachment to my own studio, being a mom, not having time or funding- residencies are just something that was not I was interested in. I had two artist residencies through Ayatana, an organization in Canada for artists interested in science. I participated in one residency (Germinate) that focused on plant science and the other (Infinitesimal) learning to use a microscope and learn about the microscopic world.
These experiences were life changing for me. Another residency I am still involved in is through the Denver Botanical Gardens. I spent time visiting the gardens and labs.
Both experiences introduced me to new friends, new artists and new ways of looking and being in the world. I highly suggest other artists find the time to have similar experiences.
What in your art career are you looking forward to in the upcoming year? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind?
I always look forward to full days in the studio! As I stated above- I have multiple ideas for new works and I am excited to get started. I am researching land management (specifically forestry), social justice through land usage, invasive species and colonization, botanical illustration and patterning, as well as continuing to attempt to understand photosynthesis. I have made goals to have more solo exhibits, residencies and artists talks.
Walking and hiking has become an important part of my practice and I have dedicated time to continue this.
What are you currently excited about in your art practice?
I have been on sabbatical for Fall 2021, and have used the time away from teaching to immerse myself in research on plants, algae and photosynthesis. I have worked with scientists, studied and read extensively and had multiple artist residencies. I took four months and lived in a small travel trailer in Northern Minnesota - hiking the Superior Hiking Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I spent a lot of time exploring the boreal forest, collecting plant and lichen species for an herbarium. All these experiences have renewed my energy and focus. I have developed a whole new body of work based on algae and have enough new materials, knowledge and ideas for several bodies of work.
What were some of the challenges you faced last year as an artist? Was your work/ art practice affected by the pandemic this year, if so how?
I have been on sabbatical Fall 2021 and have used the time away from teaching to immerse myself in research on plants, algae and photosynthesis. I have worked with scientists, studied and read extensively and had multiple artist residencies. I took four months and lived in a small travel trailer in Northern Minnesota - hiking the Superior Hiking Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I spent a lot of time exploring the boreal forest, collecting plant and lichen species for an herbarium. All these experiences have renewed my energy and focus. I have developed a whole new body of work based on algae and have enough new materials, knowledge and ideas for several bodies of work.
What does a typical day in the studio (or wherever you're making work) look like for you these days? What time of day are you at your studio, what are your studio must haves (ex: music, coffee, tools, etc), and what does your creative space look like?
Through the Rural Aesthetic Initiative (Minnesota), I secured a unique artist residency- I painted for three months in a travel trailer/ice house on rural property in Northern Minnesota. The space itself was 6 feet by 8 feet- quite a challenge. The limitation of space meant thinking ahead and preparing in new ways, as I need to plan for all the wall space and materials. The ice house had solar power and natural lighting.
I spent an additional month as an artist-in-residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony (Minnesota). I was able to use a large, beautiful studio space. Both these experiences were absolutely amazing and completely outside of my comfort zone. I tend to be a bit reclusive and I am attached to my own studio spaces at my home in ways I have now just realized from these new experiences.
Coffee, music, podcasts are my constant companions in the studio. I also enjoy silence while painting.
What resources for artists have you found helpful that may be helpful for other artists?
Artist residencies! I had not had any artist residencies until this year. Perhaps my attachment to my own studio, being a mom, not having time or funding- residencies are just something that was not I was interested in. I had two artist residencies through Ayatana, an organization in Canada for artists interested in science. I participated in one residency (Germinate) that focused on plant science and the other (Infinitesimal) learning to use a microscope and learn about the microscopic world.
These experiences were life changing for me. Another residency I am still involved in is through the Denver Botanical Gardens. I spent time visiting the gardens and labs.
Both experiences introduced me to new friends, new artists and new ways of looking and being in the world. I highly suggest other artists find the time to have similar experiences.
What in your art career are you looking forward to in the upcoming year? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind?
I always look forward to full days in the studio! As I stated above- I have multiple ideas for new works and I am excited to get started. I am researching land management (specifically forestry), social justice through land usage, invasive species and colonization, botanical illustration and patterning, as well as continuing to attempt to understand photosynthesis. I have made goals to have more solo exhibits, residencies and artists talks.
Walking and hiking has become an important part of my practice and I have dedicated time to continue this.
Laura Ahola-Young
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