Lauren Forcella

I am a contemporary impressionist and professional artist for 27 years. I work 'alla prima' with classic oils and brushes, using generous impasto texture and bold color. Alla prima, or premier coup (meaning "at first pass"), is a painting style whereby the paint is placed where one intends it to stay. There is no letting it dry and reworking. This style is fresh and immediate and perfect for capturing emotional intensity. My work has been compared to Tom Thomson of the Group of Seven, and of course Van Gogh, who I credit as my biggest influence.

I have studied and taken refuge in nature since a young child, growing up near the remote Trinity Alps Wilderness in Northern California. I spent a very unusual childhood writing, drawing, and living mostly outdoors. To give back, I put myself through college earning a B.S. in Geology from Oregon State University and spent my 20's as a hydrogeologist roaming the backcountry of Oregon. Later I retooled with a M.A. in Consciousness Studies from JFK University. My early life was "unconventional" and I did not pick up a paintbrush until age 40, when shockingly, I already knew how to paint. Call it latent talent, or "sudden onset", but I knew at that moment, this was my life purpose. From there, what you see I have honed on the canvas and through continued engagement with nature, my steadfast muse.

See my website calendar for current and past events at https://laurenforcella.com/events/

The list below and above is woefully out of date...

2021: Redding Airport, CA. Solo show Oct 15-Jan15

2022: Highland Art Center, Weaverville, CA, Solo show July

2022: Fulton Crossings Gallery, Fulton, CA, Solo show Oct-Jan

2022: Orland Art Center, Orland, CA, 2-person show, Oct