Sponsored Content | Photos provided by The Art Group Gallery
The Art Group was founded nearly two decades ago when several Little Rock artists came together to share an art studio. In 2013, the artists officially opened a gallery, The Art Group Gallery, in Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center. Follow along as At Home in Arkansas interviews each of the group’s 17 artists to find out more about their inspirations and processes for creating.
At Home: Tell us how you first became interested in art.
Louise Harris: I was born in Eloy, Arizona, and moved to Arkansas at the age of 2. My inspiration for art comes from my memories of growing up in a small town in southwest Arkansas. I loved the unusual shapes of trees and flowers and started drawing them at a young age.
AH: How did you start painting?
LH: I began painting in my mid 20s but put it aside to rear my children. After engaging in a decorative hardware business for a number of years, I started painting again after I sold the business. I currently balance my art activity with family, church, travel, and friends.
AH: What types of mediums do you use in your work?
LH: My primary medium is oil. It allows me to let the painting develop and evolve as I progress.
AH: What about your style? Do you have a subject matter you prefer?
LH: I have several artistic styles, and I let the subject of the painting dictate the style. I want people to feel happiness and serenity based on my memories, which inspire my paintings.
AH: Where’s your favorite place to create works, and how do you keep your work fresh or find new inspiration?
LH: I paint at home and at the Art Group Gallery, where members paint and inspire each other. I generally begin paintings in the mornings when my energy level is high. Attending painting workshops has also exposed me to different perspectives and ideas and keeps me growing as an artist.
Learn more about Louise Harris and the Art Group Gallery at artgrouparkansas.com.
