Laurel Foenander was born in 1960 and has been working from her home studio in rural West Gippsland, Victoria as a professional artist since 1995. Primarily a contemporary realist painter, Laurel has explored many mediums; she prefers the vivid hues and luster of oil paints to indulge her passion for colour and ‘bring to life’ her exquisitely detailed bird studies and stunning landscapes.

The natural world is Laurel’s eternal inspiration; her wildlife work is well recognised and collected all over the world, particularly in the field of Australian native bird painting.  Laurel is not confined to any one genre; her work ranges from detailed wildlife paintings, to dramatic landscapes and seascapes, portraits and expressionist abstracts, depending on where her heart and imagination lead her.

Laurels’ paintings have gained many accolades, including 2023 ‘People’s choice’ award Pakenham Art Show, finalist 2022 Percival’s Portrait Prize, Townsville, finalist 2022 Sunshine Coast Art Prize, Caloundra and winner 2021 MSC Maritime Art Award.