Cielito Lindo is named after a song my dad used to sing when I was growing up. It means “pretty little heaven”. The three columns in this piece represent three generations of artists in my family: my grandmother, my mother, and me.
My grandmother, Mary Clay, was a painter - and the first person who showed me that materials could cary meaning. One of my most cherished materials in the studio is my grandmothers paints. I painted beside her everyday during art school at TCU. Now, when I use her tools, I feel that connection - like she is still painting with me.
Windows of the World explores memory and the destinations that shape identity. Each painting reflects Laura Clay’s experiences traveling across cultures, capturing the balance between rootedness and transition. Inspired by her travels to places like Mexico, Italy, and Spain, Clay incorporates locally sourced pigments and natural materials, allowing each piece to embody the essence of its origin. As the series expands, new works will be titled after the locations where these materials were gathered, deepening the connection between place, and memory and exploring how travel transforms identity.
