Laurie Burton
Bio
Laurie Burton is a Starkville, Mississippi artist working in multiple media, with her primary focus being sculpting and assemblage art with found objects. She also enjoys watercolor and acrylic painting, as well as some occasional furniture making. Laurie has a Bachelor of Business degree in Marketing and minor in Fine Art from Mississippi State University, and is largely a self-taught artist, finding that she enjoys the challenges of working with different mediums, exploring new concepts and ideas, and evolving as an artist. Laurie has participated in many local and statewide shows, she is a former Starkville Area Arts Council (SAAC) President and Cotton District Arts Festival Chairperson, a co-founder of the SAAC’s annual Art in the Park event for children and a strong advocate for the arts. Laurie retired from her corporate position as Industrial Engineer/Costing Manager in 2021 and now devotes herself fully to art and living the life of a creative person. Find Laurie on social media to learn more.
Website
Artist Statement
I love working with my hands, and the sculptural process combined with assemblage of found objects is both challenging and fulfilling. My pieces usually start out as wood and clay forms, and as they are refined, I begin working through possible adaptations by adding old jewelry, utensils, and other odd bits of junk I have stored in my studio. I rarely begin a piece with a clear idea of the finished piece, rather, I often begin with a basic concept, and will work through the process, adding and taking away, until I decide the piece is complete.
Sometimes I find old nails, wire, and rusty metal on my daily walk, but I also make trips to thrift and antique shops looking for items to be repurposed. For me, these expeditions are all part of the artistic process. Many of the items I use seem to mimic the motions and curves of the human form on some level, providing artistic inspiration, as well as having an organic bent that appeals to my sense of design. As a result, they easily lend themselves to reinterpretation and adaptation, providing a unique contrast to the hand built organic forms.
My goal with these pieces is to share my thoughts on human nature, highlighting our inner strengths, weaknesses, frailties, and idiosyncrasies, as well as honoring those attributes that move us forward. Many times, it is my own insecurities that help me relate to others, and capturing those emotions and mannerisms is often the thing that keeps me working and creating.
