Laura Lavit Elmore emerged as an artist when she was 12 and one her first competition for a watercolor of Old Penn's store near her home in rural Kentucky. Her painting development was fostered by artist Judy Apple of Georgetown, Kentucky. As an adult Laura's curiosity and interests led her to study printmaking paper making and sculpture. She used these skills teaching children at The Living Arts and Science Center in Lexington, KY as an Artist in Residence in eastern Kentucky and in nursing homes. In recent years Laura studied clay at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, Pennsylvania with Renzo Faggioli.

Her work has involved an expressionistic manner in which she strives to depict subjective emotions and responses to people and objects. Laura currently works out of her home studio in Emmaus, Pennsylvania and exhibits frequently with the Lehigh Art Alliance, as well as in other group shows in the Valley. Her work can frequently be found at community events for her favorite charities.

Laura and her family are active supporters of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley. Humble houses were originally made as 2018's table decorations for Habitat's annual fundraising event and auctioned off at Habitat's 2019 Toast to Hope. Like the original collection, these houses are Raku fired, a low-firing process inspired by traditional Japanese Raku firing. Western style Raku involves removing Pottery from the kiln at about 1800°F and transferring it into containers with combustible materials. Once the materials ignite the containers are closed, producing an intense atmospheric reduction which affects the colors in the glazes and clay bodies. The dramatic thermal shock produces a crackling affect as well.

The house is 3 in by 5 in.

Please note that this item CANNOT BE SHIPPED. Must be picked up, OR another arrangement made with the artist. Thank you!