Laurie Justus Pace
(born 5 Nov 1952) is an American fine artist using oil and mixed media, graphic artist, editor, musician, and writer.
Early Life
Laurie Justus Pace was born in St Louis, Missouri. Through out her childhood she was inspired by an older cousin to pursue painting. She studied music, starting piano at age 7, guitar at age 11 and organ at age 16. Art was her passion. By age 13 she was painting and donating work to the Dallas PBS fundraising auction.
Professional Life
Pace studied commercial art at the University of Texas (Arlington) and graduated with a degree (BFA) in Art from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She returned to Stephen F Austin to complete her teaching degree in 1984. Pace worked for von Allmen Advertising Agency in Nacogdoches from 1981 through 1989 as the Head of the Art Department; in addition working voice overs in the sound room, writing commercials, and working with television commercial production. From 1990 through 1997, Pace taught in the Texas public school system including Art and Texas History at Argyle ISD, and 4th grade at White Rock Elementary in Richardson ISD. In 1998 Laurie turned back to her passion of 'making art' for her own self discovery. Inspired by a fellow artist she had known for over three decades, Pace began painting and creating art. By 2002 she began selling paintings through Ebay and by 2007 she was represented by top galleries in the United States including Mirada Fine Art in Denver, Colorado; The Rare Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; The South Hill Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky; The Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas; and Davis & CO in Spring, Texas. In the spring of 2009 with artists Debbie Grayson Lincoln and Vernita Bridges Hoyt, Pace created The Artists of Texas and in September of 2010 she and artists Kimberly Conrad, Diane Whitehead and Mary Jo Zorad founded Contemporary Fine Artists International. In February of 2012, Pace stepped up and launched the first edition of Visual Language Magazine, an online E Magazine as part of a partnership with CFAI.co. December of 2012, Visual Language Magazine emerged on its own to stand alone publishing monthly online editions of contemporary fine art representing international artists, painters, sculptors, photographers and more.
Personal Life
Laurie was married to Mark Brown of Beaumont, Texas in 1971. They had three children; Justin, Stacey and Morgan. They lived in Nacogdoches for 18 years and divorced in 1990. Laurie married her high school sweetheart, Terry Pace in 1991. They have lived in the Dallas/Ft Worth area for over 23 years. She is a committed Christian, member of the United Methodist Church and has painted several pieces reflecting her faith and includes many Biblical scriptures on the foundations of her paintings.
Publications
- American Art Collector - July 2009,
- Western Art Collector - April 2009, August 2009, February 2010, April 2010, June 2010
- Cowboys & Indians - January 2010
- The Appaloosa Journal
- The Dallas Morning News
- Visual Language Magazine May 2014
Publication Covers
- Sight Hound Magazine Winter 2009
- Appaloosa Directory Spring 2010
- Appaloosa Journal July 2010
- Hits on the Hudson Saugerties, NY September 2010
Memberships
- Daily Painters
- Artists of Texas (Signature Member - Co-founder)
- WAOW (Associate Member)
- OPA (Associate Member)
- International Equine Artists (Signature Member)
- Contemporary Fine Artists International (Co-founder)
- The Five Graces
Shows and Exhibitions
- American Airlines International Art Show 2001-2006
2001, 2003, 2004 First Place Professional Works on Canvas 2002, 2004 Second Place Professional Works on Canvas, Works on Paper 2003 Second Place Professional Photography 2002, 2004 Honorable Mention Professional Works of Art on Paper 2005 Second Place Professional Works on Canvas 2006 Honorable Mention Professional Works on Canvas
- Earthworks Art Gallery New York 2006, 2008
- Rare Gallery Jackson Hole, Wyoming 2007
- The Dutch Art Gallery, Dallas Texas 2009, 2010. 2011, 2012, 2013
- Mirada Fine Art, Denver Colorado 2010
Video of Laurie Pace working in Studio
View Video