Laura Menzies

My teaching focuses on sharing my ideas, enthusiasm and techniques, in a playful and experimental way. My aim is that participants will come together to learn and explore and to start to develop their own visual language, which they can use as a springboard for their own studio work.

Laura’s fragmented compositions embrace a slightly undone and imperfect feel and often contain harmonious pallets in soft hues; inspired by living stones throw from the coastline. She paints in an intuitive and physical way building up layers of oil, cold wax, collage and mixed media to conceal and reveal sections. Her paintings ask the viewer to slow down and provide a gentle space for reflection and contemplation.

Laura trained at Birmingham University, graduating with a BA in Performing & Visual Arts before gaining an MA in Fine Art from Falmouth University. She has exhibited extensively in the UK and internationally showing at Tate Modern, Tate St Ives and in 2019 she celebrated her first solo show. She is also a trained art teacher and educator and has taught at Falmouth University and The Eden project amongst other places.

Website: Laura Menzies

What our students say

I cant wait to buy some cold wax and get started.

Just happiness and a good tutor of course.

It was a great privilege to be allowed to share in Laura’s very personal journals and she was an inspiring and very generous tutor. Thank you so much Laura.

I just loved the way Laura made it seem so easy and uncomplicated.

I found the whole thought process that your journal is your private space and you don’t have to share so refreshing. Just a fantastic structure which I hope is going to enable me to re-establish my working practice. Thank you so much, very much appreciated.

The course removes the pressure to produce something ‘perfect’ – and then be dissatisfied with it! By journaling one can capture brief moments, thoughts, feelings, images which have somehow made an impact. I find by reflecting on them later this leads to a better formed idea of a finished piece – which of course then has a much more personal impact.

Courses with Laura Menzies

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Coldwax Painting

Laura Menzies

Online Pre-recorded - Mixed Media - Abstract

Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000K3yEC
Active Instance: a024J00000CRyytQAD, 01-Sep-2026

Enjoy learning about the possibilities of coldwax painting, a technique for adding texture and depth to your work.

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£30 Book

Creative Journaling for Artists (rec)

Laura Menzies

Online Pre-recorded - Mixed Media - Personal Development

Active sort order:
Course ID: a00Nz000009zUYo
Active Instance: a02Nz000004YtarIAC, 01-Jan-2025

In this course you will be encouraged to explore creative play in your art journals, allowing you to capture your personal curiosities and interests to develop your visual language and bring clarity to your practice.

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£95 Book

Line, Texture, Tone - Coldwax Painting

Laura Menzies

Online Pre-recorded - Mixed Media - Landscape

Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000FH0Lf
Active Instance: a024J00000D10f7QAB, 31-Jan-2025

Enjoy creating luminous abstract paintings using coldwax painting. Learn how these three fundamental aspects - texture, line and shape - can help develop your unique visual vocabulary.

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£90 Book