Laurie is the second of seven children from a wonderfully artistic family. She was born in Minneapolis, MN and raised in Deerfield, IL. She moved to California in the 70's where She met her husband Michael. They moved to Nevada, his home, where they raised their four children (her finest work yet). They landed in Gardnerville NV in 1985 and moved to beautiful Smith Valley in 1994, where they still abide. Laurie has grown to love the grand vistas, the subtle color changes as the sun rises and sets, and the incredible scent of the sagebrush after it rains. She is happy to call Nevada her home. She has always been creative, yet has had little time to pursue her interests. She took every art class offered in High school and continued her art education, taking classes through Western Nevada Community College, and studied with Bob Gerbracht (portraits), Kathryn Farmer (watercolor), and Reiko Hervin (watercolor). She gleans much from both current and great artists from the past. Laurie's interior design skills were honed working for Winans Furniture, La-z-boy Furniture Gallery, and Bassett Furniture Gallery. She sees education as a life long discovery, and will continue to pursue the many educational opportunities available to her. Mike and Laurie find themselves empty-nesters now and with her new found time she is devoting herself to her passion, painting. She is just getting started as a full-time professional and, God willing, hopes to spend many years ahead learning and developing as a fine artist.
AWARDS 2008 Nevada Artist association "Winter Show" AUBBEY, 3rd Place
2007 Nevada Artist Association "Nevada Day Show" NEVADA RAIN, Honorable mention
Lyon County Fair MORNING RUSH HOUR: BEST OF SHOW, First in Class (Animal), First Place Blue Ribbon APRICOTS for OWEN: First in Class (Still Life), Blue Ribbon APPLES of GOLD in SETTINGS of SILVER #1: Second in Class (Still Life), Blue Ribbon NEVADA RAIN: ( Landscape) First Place Blue Ribbon LINDSAY GIRL: (Portrait), First Place Blue Ribbon
1996
Western Nevada Community College Art Show TIMMY, First Place,
Lyon County Fair TREE TIME, Best of Show Amateur Fine Arts, Best of Class Fine Arts TIMMY, Lyon County Fair, First Place Blue Ribbon