The Scribe - Page 5

The Cairo Years and Artistic Growth Her work blends childhood memories with antiques and sculptural elements. Many pieces reference her Ohio upbringing, including memories of her first stuffed animal, a frightening Jack-in-the- box, and the animated Christmas displays in downtown O’Neil’s department store windows. Fairy tales from the 1960s, particularly darker stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Krampus, also inspire her work. Process and Materials Creation time varies dramatically depending on the piece. Some works can be completed in a day, while others, like her Trojan horse assemblage, require a month of intermittent work. She sources materials primarily through Facebook Marketplace, sometimes finding valuable pieces at remarkably low prices. Individual projects can cost anywhere from $25 to $200 in materials. Laura works primarily with her hands, using clay for sculptural elements like faces and features, papier-mâché for structure, and various construction materials including glue, nails, and screws. She repurposes components from antique Erector Sets and other found objects. Her pieces range from ironing board-sized works to large- scale pieces measuring 4x4 feet, with some reaching 5 feet in height. Philosophy Laura identifies grit as her most essential tool. Having been a single mother for 18 years while working nonstop, she brings a corporate work ethic to her studio practice. She doesn’t allow herself the luxury of “not feeling like creating,” approaching her art with the same discipline she applied in the business world. She creates both for pure enjoyment and for commercial viability, intentionally maintaining a balance between the two. Some pieces, like her large-scale Trojan horse, serve primarily to captivate viewers rather than fit conventional home decor. The Scribe - Page 5 ARTIST FEATURE