ABOUT
Laura Roosevelt
Laura Roosevelt is a contemporary American artist whose work spans multiple media, exploring intersections of art history, cultural identity, personal narrative, literature, philosophy, spirituality, and history.
Her practice encompasses large-scale painting, steel sculpture, photography, drawing, and, most recently, installation. Working across disciplines, Roosevelt integrates diverse materials rich with symbolism and personal meaning. Her process is intuitive and contemplative - ideas, stories, and internal dialogues guide the emergence of form, color, structure, and texture. As these elements coalesce, the work becomes energetically charged; it is in this moment of resonance that a piece is considered complete.
Roosevelt received degrees in Art History and Studio Art from Denison University and earned her MA from New York University. Following her graduate studies, she worked at Sotheby’s in the Print and Latin American Painting departments. She is a member of Ken Burns’ Board of Directors, The Better Angels Society. Recently, Roosevelt relocated her studio practice from the East Coast to her hometown of Dallas, Texas. She is the great-granddaughter of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Her work is held in private collections throughout the United States, London, St. Barth’s, and the Bahamas.
A Look in the Studio
Roosevelt’s studio practice is rooted in a layered, intuitive process guided by research, reflection, and material exploration. Each painting or series begins with a written point of departure - a poem, a piece of music, a literary reference, a philosophical symbol, an emotional state, a garden palette, the work of an admired artist, or a moment drawn from current events.
From the first mark to the final gesture, Roosevelt considers how each influence can be woven into the depth of the work. These internal narratives and contemplations inform the composition, structure, color, texture, and tension of each piece. When the elements align and the work becomes energetically resonant, it is considered complete.
A similar process guides her sculptural practice. Working with steel, bones, found materials, and other objects, Roosevelt constructs narrative forms that are tactile and layered. These works oscillate between fantasy and the implied, often balancing humor and play with deeper reflections on human nature and the inner life.
