I feel like what's most important for painting - which has been hierarchically on the top for a really long time in terms of what is considered fine art, by comparison with something like a comic book or what's considered low art - is that painting should open up laterally to include other cultures and things that don't immediately resonate as a painting but are obviously of equal contribution to the genre.
Laura OwensMost people who think they can't live up to the great painters of the past, often times have a group of people they think they're better than.
Laura OwensI think a lot of male artists should and probably are thinking in the same ways. The culture has moved in a more democratic, pluralistic direction. You now find a lot of people who are looking outside of the mainstream of the history of art for their mentors. Maybe not heroes, but mentors.
Laura OwensIโm not sure a lot of other people would walk up to the same artwork and see the shadow on the personโs face from the hat and be like โDo you see that!โ Itโs about noticing things that interest you, and that definitely happens with the natural world as well.
Laura OwensIn high school I was good at math and everybody wanted me to do something with that - mathematics or engineering - which was a nightmare scenario for me. Meeting other artists and going to punk rock shows at that age, there was a feeling of freedom and community that I wanted to partake in.
Laura Owens