The Hampton Script

 Jeremiah C. Lewis | Staff Writer

Last month, Lauryn Bass presented her artwork at Hampton’s Student Art Gallery. Bass is a fourth-year journalism major and psychology minor from Atlanta, Georgia. 

Q1: When did you start loving to paint? 

Bass: Back in the day when silly bands and things like that were popular in elementary school, they would always get banned or taken away from us. My school was always taking away forms of expression from us so when I had to take a required art class it became my favorite time of the week because it felt good to express yourself. Art class on Fridays really made me start enjoying painting. 

Q2: I love the type of colors used in your painting. How would you say colors affect you? 

Bass: It’s a big deal how colors affect us. Jails use dull colors making it depressing. Like Red attracts you. Bold colors for men, feminine colors for women. We express colors in the way we wear things. Green adds grounding scenes. I love to express myself in all kinds of colors.

Q3: What piece do you think people were attracted to because of the colors? 

Bass: My “Sunset” painting. It was well-liked because it felt warm, like grounding yourself outside.

“Sunset” 

Q4: So you would say painting helps you move forward? 

Bass: Yes, especially in times when I feel alone. I take my alone time to talk to God. When you paint by yourself you learn more about yourself. So many things you can’t control, you just have to keep pushing forward. Painting gives you the time to talk to God and it gives you space. Sometimes I might go back and paint over a piece to make it just right. You can always look at your paintings and know exactly what you felt. I recommend people just paint when they’re stressed or going through something.

Q5: You said earlier that you sometimes add on to old pieces. Would you suggest that most painters add on to old pieces? 

Bass: I don’t know if a painting is ever done. As an artist, you’ll know when a painting is finished.

Q6: What painting would you say is your pride and joy? 

Lauryn: It doesn’t have a name, but here it is.

[insert photo]

“Flora” 

Q7: Looking at the untitled painting referenced above, how did you feel when making it? 

Bass: I made this piece when I was 16. Everything seemed like it was going right for a while. I started looking older and not like a little girl anymore. I thought I knew everything I knew in life. Everything felt so right. 

Lauryn: I probably should. Before, I was a free flow painter. Since then, I’ve been learning structure, and I’m interested to see what I’m doing differently now. My art teacher says my painting lacks structure, so I’m interested to see what I would paint in my life after graduation. 

My art conveys a lot of vibrant colors because I would like to think I have a bright personality, which I want to portray in every piece. Nature is a big influence as well because flora really brings me peace.