She finished her formal school career at The Columbus College of Art and Design where she received a B.F.A. in Illustration. She has since been enrolled in the graduate program of How to Make a Living Sitting on Your Fanny Drawing.

Her work has appeared in many, many textbooks, wonderful magazines like Cricket, Spider, Ladybug, Ask and Highlights for Children, and in the picture books My Brother Loved Snowflakes, The Dutch in New Amsterdam, My Muslim Friend, and Animal Mischief. Her most recently published picture book is The Best Eid Ever, published by Boyds Mills Press.

Laura would be happy to share her talents and experience with your class or group.

Laura will go through the process of making a picture book, starting with how to get an art director’s attention and get the job (also known as How To Be A Pest 101), reading through the manuscript, the first set of sketches all the way to finished art and the wacky fun in between. Additional topics covered include, how to convince the art director your idea is better than his without losing the job, why your studio does not have to be neat and the pluses and minuses of working all day in your pajamas.

Laura will walk students through the basics of drawing a face while they draw along. Topics include “Noses: How Big is Too Big?”, “Eyes: Are Two Enough?”, and “Can a Mouth be Just a Line?” This is a fun and interactive presentation for all ages.

Laura can also design a presentation to fit your current lesson plans or group needs. Presentations can be tailored to fit time constraints and can include drawing people and animals, and how writing and illustrating go together.