{"title":"Lau Reina","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"max-height: 300px; max-width:55%\" src=\"https:\/\/helloart-prod-bucket.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com\/media\/artist\/laurence-pichon\/laurence-pichon-profile.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLau was born in Paris and raised in the lively and somewhat chaotic atmosphere of a typical French café-restaurant. From a young age, art has played a dominant role in her life, creating a rich inner world and providing comfort and refuge in music, books, and drawing from the bustling café life and her solitude as a child among busy adults. As a teenager, Lau moved between creative activities—playing music, writing and acting in theatre plays, or sketching - each a way to express herself and connect with the outside world.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eAlthough she loved music and considered a professional career after 10 years at the Bourg-la-Reine Conservatory of Music, stage fright was overpowering and made her change direction. She chose to study business, started a career in marketing and communication which fulfilled her desire to explore the world, taking her from France to the Netherlands, the Philippines, the United States, and finally to Montreal, where she settled in 2004 and became a Canadian citizen in 2010.\r\u003cbr\u003eLosing her job after 27 years in the corporate world became a turning point in her professional life. She changed careers and returned to art, taking courses in drawing, watercolours and acrylics with Bev Wight at the DDO Centre for the Arts. At the same time, she started developing her voice and studying music composition at the Atelier Vocal de Montréal, reconnecting with her creative side.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eLau’s art is shaped by Nature, which she considers the greatest artist of all. She says, “Nature’s perfection fascinates me – I see its beauty and it’s as if the subject finds me. She’s an endless source of joy, harmony and inspiration.” Her paintings start from moments of inspiration brought by scenes, feelings, or experiences, that she transforms into colour and abstraction. Her goal is not to copy reality but to express the emotions it brings.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eHer creative process is experimental and varied, often mixing media and using fluid acrylics to produce unique textures and moods. Although largely self-taught, she draws inspiration from contemporary artists like Olga Soby and AB Creative, whose research and constant experimentation to express their artistic vision echoes her own creative process. She also draws influence from Gustav Klimt or Rosina Wachtmeister’s gilded surfaces, and Claude Monet’s harmonious colour palettes.\r\u003cbr\u003e\r\u003cbr\u003eOutside her studio, Lau enjoys nature through walking, running, and hiking. Traveling remains important to her, and she loves opportunities to explore the world and discover new places. She works as a leadership development coach and sees a link between her two worlds: “Whether coaching, singing, or painting, it’s all about connection.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eARTIST’S STATEMENT\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eArt is both a reflection of my inner life and a way to reach others beyond words. Motivated by friends for whom I have realized several commissions, I have now begun to share my work more widely. If I can express myself and connect with people through art, then I have to share it—that’s my goal now. By opening my private dialogue with nature to others, I invite viewers to feel and connect with my world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"spirit-of-autumn","title":"Spirit of Autumn","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylic on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e36x18x1\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpirit of Autumn captures nature’s ephemeral spirit before winter arrives. Set against a soft blue sky and grounded to the earth by a solid trunk, flowing branches in fiery reds, yellows, greens, and oranges extend like hair in the wind. The vibrant colours and fluid movement convey the fleeting and mesmerizing beauty of the season.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42240719290471,"sku":null,"price":810.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1773166923_54163.jpg?v=1773169491"},{"product_id":"the-tranquil-hour","title":"The Tranquil Hour","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e36x18\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspired by the Montreal landscape, \"L'heure tranquille\" depicts the magic moment when the sun sets and the bustling city suddenly gives in to the laid back summer vibes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42240719781991,"sku":null,"price":810.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1773167135_14423.jpg?v=1773169507"},{"product_id":"pop-up-beach","title":"Pop-up Beach","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e36x24\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePop-up Beach was inspired by the Montreal summer scene; the interplay between urban structure and natural movement of the beach, river and sky captures the moment when the joy, heat and laid back feeling of the season seems to take over the city and give it an air of coastal farniente.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42241013252199,"sku":null,"price":1080.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1773179428_31693.jpg?v=1773179450"},{"product_id":"ocean-vibes-2","title":"Ocean Vibes","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e36x18\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this piece, fluid paint creates movement that resembles waves and the ocean vibes are further enhanced by the luminous blue and golden tones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42244211802215,"sku":null,"price":810.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1773178843_97366.jpg?v=1773260940"},{"product_id":"uplifting-moon","title":"Uplifting Moon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e40x30x1.75\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42244237262951,"sku":null,"price":1500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1773261234_30043.jpg?v=1773261314"},{"product_id":"spirit-of-winter","title":"Spirit of Winter","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30x20x1.75\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42244239786087,"sku":null,"price":750.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1773261393_39690.jpg?v=1773261413"},{"product_id":"fleeting-light","title":"Fleeting Light","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e16x24\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43734677028967,"sku":null,"price":480.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1777996193_68137.jpg?v=1777996217"},{"product_id":"winter-moon","title":"Winter Moon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylics and mixed media on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20x20x1\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43734964404327,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1777996038_40216.jpg?v=1778001732"},{"product_id":"through-the-glass-1","title":"Through the Glass","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylic and photo print transfer on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e16x24x1\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lau Reina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43734966403175,"sku":null,"price":480.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/3038\/4487\/files\/1_1777996335_83476.jpg?v=1778001759"}],"url":"https:\/\/helloart.com\/collections\/lau-reina.oembed","provider":"helloart","version":"1.0","type":"link"}