Upcoming exhibit at the library is Totally Zen

*Under the Influence of Art Deco*, a Zen Doodle drawing by local artist Laurie Fritz Moravec. *Photo courtesy Salina Public Library*

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post

Want to learn about Salinan Laurie Fritz Moravec? Just take a look at her art.

“I realized that art is an illusion created by the artist,” Moravec said. “This collection encompasses my hopes, my dreams, my nightmares, and my personality.”

Local artist Laurie Moravec. *Salina Post photo*

Totally Zen is the title of Moravec’s exhibit, which is scheduled to show in the gallery at the Salina Public Library, 301 West Elm, from August 10 to September 7. A reception for the artist will be from 4-5:30 p.m. September 7, in conjunction with Friday Night Live.

The exhibit is open to the public at no charge during regular library hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

Totally Zen features 15 original ink and graphite Zen Doodle drawings, Moravec said.

Moravec has embraced the Zen Doodle method of drawing for the past two years. She said she got hooked on Zen Doodle after a friend took a Zen Doodle class and posted photos on Facebook.

“I thought it was cool, so I asked her about it,” Moravec said.

From there, Moravec researched Zen Doodle online and taught herself the technique by watching YouTube videos, she said.

“My first one, I just loved it, but I will never show it to anyone,” she said and laughed.

Moravec said the intricate drawings can take her up to several months, despite the fact that she draws every day. An 8 1/2- by 11-inch drawing takes her two to three weeks to complete, while an 11- by 14-inch canvass can take several months.

In looking at Moravec’s work, one could wonder how she decides what to draw. For Moravec, it’s simple.

*Try Another Angle* by Laurie Fritz Moravec. *Photo courtesy Salina Public Library*

“I start with a piece that I think is going to be very cool and then I work around it,” she explained.

Sometimes, the artwork doesn’t come together as Moravec had hoped.

I never throw anything away,” she said. “If something doesn’t seem to work, I just set it aside until an idea for it comes to me later.”

Moravec said it was important for people to realize that anybody can do art. The important thing is to do it.

“There’s something that you have a talent for,” she said. “Find what that is. It can be fun and relaxing.”