Oil Painting

Laura Pittam

Laura Pittam is an emerging Brisbane-based artist known for her subtle and familiar narratives captured in nostalgic figurative and landscape paintings.

Artist Profile

Laura Pittam is an emerging Brisbane-based artist known for her subtle and familiar narratives captured in nostalgic figurative and landscape paintings.

Since beginning her artist journey in 2022, Laura has fallen in love with people and the places they inhabit.

Currently studying at the Queensland College of Art and Design, her practice encompasses both small and large-scale painting. Confident in acrylic painting, she has recently reached out to oil painting to continue exploring feelings of longing and dreaming.

She has always been drawn to images of the past. Laura finds the beauty of life in the small and fleeting moments captured in film. Like a hug on a rainy day, her paintings are filled with warmth. Influenced by her Swiss heritage, she uses old archival photos of family’s past and present. By painting snapshots of the past, she reflects upon her cultural connection and disconnection.

Artist Interview

What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?

I work with both acrylic and oil paint. I learnt how to paint using acrylics because they allowed me to work fast. It is still one of my favourites since I tend to have little patience for drying. I recently got into oil paints because it has allowed me to get more detail and blend my colours more for a dreamier effect.

How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?

I love old film photos, and my family's photo albums are full of them. I’ll simply sit down for hours sifting through the photos and looking for ones that pique my interest. I am usually drawn to warm photos of children playing. Bonus points if the photo also has some green in it. The next part is taking the photo, or multiple photos, to my easel to paint. I start with thin washes of paint and then build up to thicker applications. I like to focus on the feeling and movement of the image rather than replicating it pixel for pixel. That’s what makes the process so enjoyable for me and that lets it reach a stage where it can be shown to people.

Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?

Currently, my studio space is a small corner in my home that I love to bits. I’ve got a window looking out into our backyard, so I don’t just get to feel like I’m outside I also get the warm afternoon light that makes me feel like I’m in my paintings. I am so grateful to have such a lovely space to create.