Sivertson Gallery

Artist Laura Lindquist paints what she loves, celebrating Minnesota with color and emotion

“I believe art is love—the love of somewhere, someone, or something.”

— Laura Lindquist, (Above: Through My Son’s Eyes, giclee print by the artist)

Laura Lindquist is a Stillwater, Minnesota-based landscape painter. Growing up camping on the North Shore and in Ely, she considers northern Minnesota her home away from home. A lifelong explorer and outdoor enthusiast, she believes there are endless places here to celebrate through art.

Laura has developed a style she calls “Textural Impressionism,” incorporating impasto oil paint applied by both palette knife and paintbrush, layering thick and short strokes to create a spectrum of emotion in her work. (Learn from this very short video what impasto painting technique looks like.)

Laura has a studio in her home with a big window that overlooks a large pond. In winter, she observes hawks, eagles, and the occasional swan. Come warmer months, she sees a slew of wildlife including egrets, owls, geese, ducks, loons, and deer. The space is full of light, tubes of paint, paint brushes, two easels, canvases, framing materials and more. “It’s my happy place,” says Laura.

Laura in her “happy place” — her Stillwater, Minnesota home studio.

Jan Sivertson notes that “Laura’s brush strokes are so well designed! And I love her enthusiastic use of color. We’re delighted that Laura is represented by Sivertson Gallery.”

We recently asked Laura about her creative process, inspiration, and career as an artist.

Q&A with painter Laura Lindquist

— How would you describe your style? How is it unique to you?

LL: I describe my style as “textural impressionism.” It’s inspired by post-impressionist painters Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet and is characterized by its highly textural quality. The paint strokes in my work are loose, short, and visible, similar to those of Monet and van Gogh; however, my style differs in that I allow the underpainting to come through, making it an integral part of the painting itself. Additionally, the texture in my work is achieved not only through brushstrokes but also the occasional use of a palette knife.

Adagio For Lake Agnes shows off Laura’s beautiful use of oil paint, where her choice of medium adds emotional and sculptural depth.

I work in oil paint because I’m drawn to its ability to capture the texture and movement of the brushstrokes. When you look closely, you can almost feel the emotion of the brush hitting the canvas. You can sense how quickly the paint was applied and the emotion the artist felt during the process. Oil paint has a sculptural quality, adding depth and dimension to each piece.

I know this might sound like a love letter to oil paint, but it’s true—oils are that lovely. The colors are incredibly striking and transform beautifully under different lighting conditions.

— Do you have a favorite artist or movement who has inspired your work?

LL: I have always been drawn to artwork that uses bold color and texture. As a child, I spent long road trips engrossed in my books on Vincent van Gogh. His works, particularly “Olive Groves” at the Minneapolis Art Institute, captivated me. I could spend hours gazing into the vibrant hues and rhythmic strokes, feeling a deep connection to his expressive style.

Another significant influence is Sivertson Gallery artist Dave Gilsvik! My first visit to the gallery during a camping weekend as a child left a profound impact on me. His work, with its vivid colors, rich textures, and visible brushstrokes, spoke to me in a way few others have. Gilsvik’s paintings depicted scenes from my own home, bringing a sense of familiarity and inspiration. I remember thinking, “That’s what I want to do!” It was through his art that I realized the importance of painting from my heart rather than conforming to perceived audience expectations. Because of him, I embraced painting the landscapes and scenes of my home, pouring my genuine admiration and love into my work.

— Why are you drawn to the images you work with?

LL: Art, to me, is a love letter to someone, something, or somewhere. My love letter is dedicated to Minnesota. Growing up here, camping, hiking, skipping rocks, fishing—these experiences have ingrained a deep appreciation for this state. Over time and while raising my son here, my love for Minnesota has only grown stronger. “Minnesota Nice” is a real thing.

In Winter Lullaby, Laura exaggerates the colors to highlight the beauty of Minnesota’s winter landscape.

My son gets to grow up learning the same values I did—Minnesota values of caring for nature and water and each other, enjoying each season’s activities, and embracing different cultures along with our own Scandinavian and Irish heritage.

I exaggerate the angles in wiry tree branches and the colors in vivid sunsets to highlight the beauty of Minnesota’s landscapes. This personal touch and deep connection to my surroundings makes a unique representation of the place I hold dear.

— How do you begin your artmaking process? And how do you know when your painting is done?

LL: My artistic process begins with immersing myself in nature. I wander, soak in the sights, and snap photos. If I experience an artist’s block, getting outside always helps. Often, though, I feel the opposite—I have too many ideas to keep up with! My husband and son, Wallace, frequently join me on these adventures. Wallace helps by excitedly pointing out scenes, saying, “Ooh, Mom, paint that!” He’s the reason so many sunsets appear in my paintings.

Laura and son Wallace on an adventure, observing and beginning the process of making art.

The composition of each snapshot in the field is important. Different angles convey different feelings and messages, so I’m particular about where and how I stand.

When I return to my studio, I embrace creative freedom. Often, I base an entire painting on a single photo, but at times, I combine elements from different photos to create my ideal scene. With paint, I become the interpreter of nature’s artistry.

I start with an underpainting, which is a layer of paint on the canvas that will show through and between strokes. I choose the color(s) of the underpainting to enhance the colors of the final image. For instance, a teal-tinted blue underpainting can make the sky’s blue strokes pop, while a rust underpainting accentuates the crimson strokes. Once the underpainting is in place, I sketch out the composition.

Laura mixes her paints and applies strokes one section at a time until her painting is complete.

I know my artwork is finished when I can step away from it and feel a sense of joy and satisfaction. If I keep my paintings around me too long, I tend to overanalyze and second-guess every detail, becoming my own worst critic. To avoid this, I take a step back and evaluate the overall emotional impact of the piece. When I can look at it from a distance and it evokes the intended emotions, I know it’s gallery-ready.

— What are trying to do with your art? Capture a feeling, a sense of awe, tell a story?

LL: I aim to do three things with my art: 1) to provide beauty in an often challenging world, 2) to inspire living and loving our present environment rather than seeking relaxation elsewhere, and 3) to encourage slowing down and living in the moment.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget to savor the “nows.” I aim to foster a deeper connection with our environment and remind us to appreciate the simple yet profound moments in life.

Living in the moment, despite our hectic lives, is a goal of Laura’s artmaking. Shown above is Evening Embers.

— And finally, where are you in your career right now?

LL: I now do art full-time, which has been an absolute dream come true, thanks to Sivertson Gallery. My style keeps developing and becoming more fine-tuned.

I have been painting since I was a tiny child, so I have over 30 years of experience. However, the style I’ve developed in the past five years is relatively new. My dream for the future is to get my work out there more and more, inspiring people to share in the love of Minnesota.

You’ll find dozens of Laura’s images of the North Shore in a variety of sizes on our website. Customers can enjoy her work printed on paper or canvas, with framing options for both paper and canvas available when ordering.

View all art by Laura Lindquist