Our Featured PFATT Member is............

(Just click on the Banner above to go visit her blog)

Laurie Hardin of Monkey Cats Studio!!!

Laurie Redfern Hardin attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney, receiving both a BFA and MA in the visual arts. Laurie taught in the art department at UNK for 11 years as an adjunct faculty member teaching design, drawing and art appreciation courses. Laurie later worked for the University at the Museum of Nebraska Art, serving both as the assistant curator and curator.

In 2005, Laurie returned to the studio to work fulltime at establishing her own art business, initially focusing on landscape and still-life painting. In the fall of 2006, Laurie expanded her repertoire to include holiday inspired handmade papier mache sculpted figures. Intrigued by the look and texture of papier mache, Laurie worked at developing a line of figures, plaques and containers that could be discerned stylistically as "hers," which led to her one of a kind designs in 2007. In the spring of 2008, Laurie discovered the internet blog world, established a blog, became a member of PFATT and was invited to sell her work on the SpookyTime Jingles internet marketplace.

Laurie's adorable paper mache creations stand out with her signature look of those big grins and soulful eyes. The detail in each and every one of her creations is absolutely amazing. Each one of them is a true One-of-a-kind creation.

Pictured above is the adorable creation that Laurie made for The Penny Feather Tree Auction that just ended on Ebay. All preceeds went to The Leukemia & Lymphoma, Inc_Alabama Chapter.

One of Laurie's favorite holidays is Halloween and this little cast of characters can't help but bring a smile to anyone's face! Laurie was also very honored to be one of the Halloween artists invited to do the Halloween & Vine Show in Petaluma, CA this past September. Below is a picture of Laurie with Scott Smith of Rucus Studios in front of her table full of characters.

This year, Laurie will be showing at Ghoultide Gathering in Northville, MI. (You can view Scott's Slideshow from last year's Ghoultide Gathering on the sidebar to the right.)

If you are a lover of Halloween......you won't want to miss this most prestigeous of shows featuring some of the top Halloween artists in the country! Make sure you stop by Laurie's table and tell her Hello! She would love to meet you!

You can read more about Laurie and her amazing journey by reading the article that the Kearney Hub did on her this past Halloween by CLICKING HERE.