New York City artist Laura Loving, a native of Fayette County, returns to her Southern roots to exhibit her work in a four-city art tour she has dubbed “Laurapalooza II – The Joyful Holiday Tour.” The artist, who grew up in Fayetteville, will be exhibiting a selection or her original oil paintings, limited edition serigraphs and her 2006 “Joyful Holiday” line of art objects. 
 
Loving’s new holiday line includes decorative ceramic tiles and note-cards with her designs “Skating in the Park” and “The Joyful Snowman.” The line is now available via the artist’s Web site, www.LauraLoving.com. For a preview or to order, visit the site or call 347-249-4525. 
 
Loving received her bachelor of fine arts from the University of Georgia.  Painting with enamel on canvas, she has developed a distinctive style consisting of bold lines, dramatic surface patterns and pure color that result in vibrant paintings with a certain poetic energy. “My paintings are an invention of reality rather than purely an exact imitation. I exaggerate color and shape to create art that is humorous, alive and uplifting. Without question, I believe making a connection with someone through a painting is the best part of being an artist,” Loving said.  
 
Loving has exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the United States and abroad. In New York, she has shown at Lincoln Center’s Cork Gallery, Pratt Institute, Strut Gallery and Anthem Gallery. In 2005, she was hired to create the artwork for the fall Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  In Europe, she has shown with the Wonderwall Gallery in Cirencester, England, and Chaleurs du Sud in Nice, France. In Atlanta, Loving was commissioned to create an outdoor mural in Centennial Olympic Park and the official serigraph for the 1998 Music Midtown Festival. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Fla., has acquired several of her paintings for their permanent collection. This January, Loving’s paintings and art objects will be part of a special art exhibit titled “Spotlight on Art” at Saks Fifth Ave in Atlanta.
 
“Laurapalooza II – The Joyful Holiday Tour” kicks off Nov. 4 in Washington, Ga., where Loving will participate in their annual fine arts festival Washington Connections. This premier festival will feature original work by invited regional and nationally known artists. The show hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5. Additional details about Washington Connections are available online at - www.washington-wilkes-arts-foundation.org. The next stop on the tour is Atlanta for the Marist School’s annual art festival Holiday Traditions on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions and additional details, visit http://www.marist.com/podium/default.aspx?t=35054. Other stops on the tour include Lancaster, S.C. on Nov. 18, and Nashville, Tenn. on Dec. 2. Patrons of the artist are sponsoring private events in these two cities. For invitations, please contact Loving directly at lauraloving@lauraloving.com. For a preview of the artist’s work, see www.lauraloving.com.