ART

ART

Pictured here is the stunning likeness of my rescue cat, Wellington James Alexander Ragsdale III.

The personality of this Pitt Bull is captured perfectly in its eyes.

Occasionally McCaul will favor studying simple subjects such as the artichoke pictured above, over more colorful and complex objects.

Juicy freshness painted right into this grapefruit. Play of light and shadow bring this avocado to life.

McCaul surrounds herself with life. The complexities of a succulent captured here, creates a perfect still life subject.

An everyday apple, a polished thing of beauty.

Blooming Artistry

BY ASHLEY FERRAGUT-JOHNSON

As the last of the icicles melt and drip to the softening earth below, hints of renewed life push through the permafrost. It’s easy to take for granted the sight of new life at work, such as the perseverance of tiny green stems and buds as they push their way to the sunlight. Some of the most beautiful things on this Earth, quite literally, are on earth.

To appreciate Mother Nature, sometimes we need to look through a different lens. Laura McCaul, a Fargo native who has made her home in Oakland, California, has discovered in adulthood how to do just that. She has also learned that being an artist (which she is very hesitant to call herself) is not always an innate ability gifted to someone at birth. With a little work, an eager mind and patience, the preschool teacher has found her way with easel and brush and has been painting the world around her.

“I thought for a long time that you either have visual art skills or you don't — but it's not true! There is a lot to learn,” the 30-something says. “I was amazed how taking a class or two led me to a level of competency I never thought possible.”

I should probably explain that I have known this lovely lady for well over two decades. We both grew up in North Fargo and attended Fargo North High School. Both of us were obsessed with writing and worked together on endless English assignments; eventually we fell in love with writing for our high school paper, The Scroll.

But I digress … McCaul knew she wanted a career in something that involved her passion. After moving to the West Coast,

Spring

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Showy Egret by Barbara Benda Nagle ©2019

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Fargo Native, Laura McCaul, sits among the succulents and sunshine on the porch in her studio.

It’s easy to take for granted the sight of new life at work, and the perseverance of tiny green stems and buds push their way to the sunlight.

a place she described as mystical because of the weather, landscape and people, she found that passion in teaching children. She provides for them the foundation of what is important: how to be kind and to take care of the resources given to us. Sunshine (one of those precious resources) is plentiful in California so it is no wonder that some of McCaul’s favorite painting subjects are plant life.

“As an adult, I gained a new interest in plants and gardening, which led to taking a botanical illustration class at Merritt Community College in Oakland,” she explains. “Since then, I’ve enjoyed painting and drawing plants and flowers.”

The images she captures are fluid and intricate and seem to come alive on the canvas. The term “still life” doesn’t seem to appropriately describe her work because, in fact, it is rather the opposite. Succulents, citrus fruits and artichokes (ostensibly simple subjects) dance to life on her paintings. Light and airy, McCaul uses a soft hand to create realistic detail in each of the subjects she studies. She finds her inspiration in foliage and fauna by simply opening her eyes to the beauty often evaded and taken for granted by our busy eyes — the morning dew on a leaf, the shine of a red-skinned apple or the chameleon-like colors of a fleshy, waxy house plant.

I encourage everyone to view the world as Laura does — through the eye of an artist, whether you believe yourself to be one or not. The seasons do not change overnight. It’s slow, gradual and quiet. And if we don’t pay attention, we may miss it.