A native of Georgia, artist Laura Deems moved to Birmingham in 2022 when her husband received a job opportunity. They’ve since settled into their home in the Hollywood area of Homewood. Having spent time in Charleston and Atlanta, where she was mentored by painter Sally King Benedict, Laura believes that Birmingham is “hands down, the most creative sphere” she has been in. “There are so many creatives doing big things that are being recognized nationally.”
A professional contemporary abstract artist since 2017, Deems has developed an evolving visual language. Her roots are in her formal training in textile design, where she studied dyeing, weaving, pattern making, and screen printing. This foundation continues to inform her practice, resulting in layered compositions that explore gesture, movement, and the liberation of pattern from the traditional grid. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest and Luxe, among other publications, and she is currently represented by the ARDEN + WHITE GALLERY in New Canaan, Connecticut.
When she arrived in Birmingham, Deems needed help organizing her new studio, and, already a successful artist herself, she wanted “to help bring someone along for the journey.” She looked forward to an opportunity to mentor someone just beginning an art career. “Everyone has their own path, and I think it’s really important when you’re creative, and you’re a few steps ahead, to pour back into the younger generation,” she says. “There’s enough for everyone.”
Deems shared on her social media that she was offering an internship, and Frances Rebula’s first email made an impression. “She seemed really fun, and she had an interesting story,” Deems says. During the internship, she offered constructive critique at a pivotal stage in Rebula’s artistic development. “She is really intuitive with her painting,” Deems says. “She’s doing her own thing, and it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.”
“I’ve always loved art,” Rebula says, “but I never thought it would become my full-time job.” A native of Mountain Brook, Rebula was a special education teacher at Helena and Homewood High Schools after graduating from Auburn.
Deems enjoyed helping Rebula develop her portfolio and elevate her craft. She also educated her about the art market. “Navigating the art world is intimidating, especially the gallery sphere,” she says. “But once you have your rhythm, you can do it.”
After the internship, Rebula taught again at Homewood High School and became engaged to her now-husband, Jovan, a professional golfer from South Africa. As she prepared to move to his native country, she decided to pursue painting full-time, which enabled her to travel along with her husband on his international golf tours.
For several years, Rebula's studio consisted of a drop cloth, deftly rolled canvases in a golf bag, and a portable makeup vanity for her paints. She is delighted that she and Jovan have recently purchased a home in Birmingham.
Since launching Rebula into an art career, Deems has become a mother of two, and her stunning mixed-media collaboration with artist Cameron Wilson Ritcher was recently featured in Vogue. Both artists are busy with commissions, continuing to develop their already distinct styles and hope to work together in the future. “I now consider Laura one of my very best friends,” Rebula says.
The world of professional art is highly competitive, rendering friendships between artists especially meaningful. From an intern with little art experience to a successful fine artist, Rebula now has her own advice. “Just keep painting,” she says. “Practice makes…” – she chuckles – “not always perfect, but just keep painting. Keep experimenting and exploring the creative process that feels authentic to you, and you never know where it will take you.”