Title:The Heart Outside
Artist Laura B. Nelson
Measures 50x56x3 cm
Signed front and back
Media: :acrylics, oil pastels , found objects and spray chalk paint on hard board , varnished
Using acrylic, oil pastels, and spray chalk paint on her old kitchen hardboard, Laura Bernardeschi Nelson created this piece of art, which depicts a woman in an expressive and emotionally charged manner. The figure is painted in shades of pink and red, blending into a richly textured red background that evokes warmth and intensity.
Her pose, with arms raised above her head, suggests a sense of liberation or surrender. Her face, partially obscured by bold strokes of dark blue and black hair, conveys serenity and quiet confidence, with closed eyes and lips gently curved.
A striking feature of the piece is the heart-shaped beaded necklace to the left, symbolizing that her heart exists outside her body—perhaps an allusion to vulnerability, love, or deep emotional expression. Additionally, a scarf, seemingly a part of her attire, is partially hidden beneath a vertical strip of golden paper, introducing an element of mystery or concealment.
Despite these symbolic gestures of exposure and hidden aspects, the overall tone of the painting remains one of contentment. The woman does not appear distressed; rather, she seems to embrace her emotions and experiences with a quiet joy, making this a powerful representation of self-acceptance and resilience.
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson artworld and travels 