Teaching Artist

  Ever since I was a child, I was blessed with the gift of finding beauty in everything around me, as well as the joy of creating.  I have explored art as a hobby throughout my life.  I graduated  Magna Cum Laude from the University Of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1996, earning a B.A. in Education Grades 1-8.  I taught school for several years in Lafayette Parish (1997-2016), then decided to pursue my dreams and go back to ULL to obtain my certification to become an art teacher.  I earned my Art Cert. Grades K-12 in 2018 with honors. I have been teaching art in public school for three years.  During the pandemic, I was able to focus on my art in my home studio.   I started my own business, Art by Lauralee, LLC.  I began commissioning art for people all over the country and in our community, as well as selling my own original artwork through my Etsy shop.  I explored many different styles and interests: murals, paintings, wooden ornaments, wall hangings, custom portraits and landscapes, and more.  I began teaching private art lessons out of my home to children and adults, then helped to start a new art program at a local middle school.  Recently, I was given an amazing opportunity to return to the classroom part-time,  so now I can enjoy teaching and making my art as a Teaching Artist!

I find inspiration from everything around me!  I get ideas from nature, people, animals, and especially from travel.  Sometimes I get inspired in unexpected places. Most people can find just what they need in their everyday lives and make something spectacular.  Artwork by my favorite artists and their personal stories always fill me with creative sparks!