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What do you imagine when you think of a painting of flowers by a woman artist? It might be a Margaret Olley still life set in her crowded Paddington terrace or a Margaret Preston with a striped tablecloth or it might be a close up Georgia O’Keefe with all its erotic interpretations.

But it might also be considered less serious – just a pretty picture painted in a domestic setting. It was partly for that reason that Laura Jones initially resisted the flower as subject matter, until it was clear to her that that’s what she should be painting.

Her exploration of the flower has developed over the years and took an interesting direction in her spectacular recent show ‘Too Much, Not Enough’ at Sophie Gannon Gallery. The show sold out quickly and a waiting list is in place for collectors.

Jones is also a passionate environmentalist and her show at Olsen gallery last year resulted from residencies in the Great Barrier Reef after a severe bleaching event. Those works were both awe-inspiring and shocking.

In this episode, we talk about the flowers and the reef as well as Jones’ portraiture and a lot about process and colour.

Jones grew up in Kurrajong near the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. This episode starts off with her talking about a time when she was studying for her Masters at the College of Fine Art at the UNSW, working part time as a florist and planning to move into a new studio which was to become the creative Birmingham studios in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria.

Feature photo above (cropped) by Rachel Kara

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Show notes

‘Healing Flower’ 2018, oil on linen, 183 x 152cm

‘Banksia Speciosa on Striped Cloth’ 2016 oil on linen (from ‘Wildflowers’ exhibition)

‘Symbiosis’ 2017, oil on linen, diptych, 152 x 244cm overall, pictured in the studio

‘Capricorn’, 2017, oil on linen, 152 x 122cm

‘Back to You’ 2018, oil on linen, 183 x 152cm

‘Marieke reading’ 2015 oil on linen 142 x 112cm

‘Jenna’ 2015, oil on linen, 71 x 61cm

‘Selfie’, 2016, oil on linen, 71 x 61cm

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6 thoughts on “Ep 53: Laura Jones”

  1. Liberty

    I would really like to see your youtube videos have more fill, they’re far too short. They used to be 3-4mins and have gradually diminished to one and a half. It’s as if the video editor is getting a little lazy and just wants to slap bang them up there. Also in some of the videos you don’t even get to see the artist, just a few paintings and a few words. Come on guys, there’s an audience out here. You may not be aware that youtube is part of social media, and with millions watching. Please take advantage of it. Thanks.

    • Maria Stoljar

      Hi and thanks for your feedback! I didn’t realise the videos were gaining popularity – to be honest the video was really a side thing I’d do after we recorded the interview as a little bonus for the podcast with the podcast being the main thing. The reason the artists isn’t in some of them is either because they didn’t want to be or unfortunately we ran out of time. Btw it’s just me doing it all with my recorder and the iphone (I’m the video editor) and I spend up to 15 – 20 hours editing the podcast and videos every fortnight but I love it so it’s actually quite fun. Thanks so much for watching the videos! (warning: the Laura Jones video doesn’t have Laura in it. Sorry!) Maria 🙂

      • Liberty

        Thanks so much for replying, Maria. I found you on youtube a few months back and really loved the videos and the artists’ reflections on life and their art. I edit videos too so I know the amount of work that goes into them, so without sounding weird – you’re doing a great job 🙂 Thanks again.

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