Please visit Laura's Gallery:  Photo Gallery  Artist Statement I have always known that my calling was to be an artist. It has been my outlet for understanding our nature – our body, mind and spirit – as well as our relationship to the planet and the universe beyond. Yes, the big picture. But since no one can ever see the entire picture, I have spent time working on selected categories, one by one, from the interior to the exterior and back again in some apparent spiraling motion. The consequence of my curiosity about our nature has been the systematic study of esoteric teachings such as tarot, runes and medicine cards, mirrored in my art by my serial investigations which are the sum of their parts. I am also interested in the history of women, our progress and how our value is assessed.   My work is definitely content oriented but is presentational in nature so that any conclusions should come from the viewer’s own perspective. I try to create an atmosphere for exploration of the subject matter which manifests as somewhat theatrical sculptural installations. My intention in the execution of the work is to imbue it with the humor of the archetypal trickster. The work is designed to appear obvious, even humorous, but upon further inspection/reflection there is more to consider. The process also ties into my personal domestic life. I walk in the hills and pick up sticks, branches, seeds – mother nature’s cast offs.  I take them home and combine them with domestic materials such as fabric and embroidery. A stick becomes a unicorn horn. My favorite dog gives me his excess hair to cushion a nest for a golden egg which is imbedded with my father’s gold teeth. A branch becomes a torch lit with butterflies. I try not to be didactic about messages.  However, if there is a message I am striving to convey it is to care – really care about one’s self, one’s fellow human beings, our fellow inhabitants on this planet and the planet itself. The following images represent the Personal and Public Art projects you will find in the photo gallery.                   The Looking Glass Lounge                        The Epidermis Emporium                      Fire Station #65, Watts, CA                  Van Ness Child Care Center,                                                         South Los Angeles, CA                                                         Fire Station #34                           DOT-METER, west Los Angeles                         Pasadena, CA                                 Dept. of Transportation             Please visit Laura's Gallery:  Photo Gallery