Apache Trail Painting

Amelie Laurice, the artist behind "Desert Moonrise," is a self-taught Filipina American artist raised in the vibrant cultural melting pot of Southern California. Her style is characterized by a calm, soothing color palette, drawing inspiration from her adventure trips across the deserts of California and the Southwest, which serve as the canvas for her work. The quiet grandeur of these places, particularly during the golden hour, permeates her work, expressing a sense of peace and stillness. 

 In recent years, Amelie embraced a profound shift back to her roots in traditional painting after practicing digital art over the past two decades. She fell in love with the beauty of the Southwest which also led her to subtly incorporate elements of Western culture in her paintings, creating a distinctive blend that celebrates both traditional and the contemporary. “The desert has a way of cleansing the heart and soul. I frequently venture into its vastness, not to run away, but to reconnect with who I am. Being in the desert brings a sense of solitude that lets me engage with my thoughts, while being surrounded by the raw, potent energy of nature. This setting reminds me of my transformative experience during a 10-day silent meditation retreat, where I was forced to confront and rediscover my true self. It was a deeply enriching and purifying journey. My paintings capture visions of my outdoor experiences and adventures aiming to connect and transport viewers. I mostly use acrylic and gouache, often painting from my photos or in plein air. The colors I use depict the desert as I see it, evoking a sense or release, calmness, and euphoria. Through my art, I remind the viewer of nature’s power to inspire, heal, and ignite our inner passions.” - AL Since 2021, she has been a founder and curator at Dorado 806 Projects, an artist-run alternative art space in Santa Monica, California. In 2023, she served as a Curatorial Committee member for Venice Art Walk + Auctions, and has been featured in publications and media including Los Angeles Times, Artsy’s curator’s picks, The Argonaut, and NBC Palm Springs. Her past exhibitions include: LA Art Show, Giant Robot Gallery curated by Luke Chueh, LA-LA Land Gallery, Venice Art Walk + Auctions, Unicef Next-Gen Art, 100 Pieces, Hwy 62 Open Studio, Mojave Showroom Joshua Tree, Acme 5 Lifestyle, Fab Gallery, BG Gallery, and Dorado 806 Projects.