Mississippi's
LAURIE PARKER
Laurie Parker is the author and illustrator of eleven books.
A collage artist, she cuts and pastes colored paper to create the
unique illustrations in her whimsical books.
She uses this same process to produce a unique line of wearable pins/pendants AND various pictures which she sells strictly at
art shows and retail events around the South.
She also makes beautiful one-of-a-kind paper Christmas ornaments.
Besides CREATING, Laurie's loves include:
--reading inspirational and metaphysical books,
(favorite authors: Thomas Hora, Joel Goldsmith, Vernon Howard)
--burning CD's that reflect her musical tastes (U2, The Who, Coldplay, The Sundays, The Cranberries, Innocence Mission, Leigh Nash--alternative and 70's music--to name JUST a few!)
--interior decorating (she loves to go junking
and is great at turning trash to treasures!)
A few more of her favorite things:
"The Andy Griffith Show" (she QUOTES from it regularly!),
kittens and cats, border collies, poetry, paper crafts,
THE TOUR DE FRANCE (click to read her 2004 "coverage.")
word puzzles, rain, trees, picnics, ANGELS, and
Favorite Movie: "The Shawshank Redemption"
Favorite
Foods: VEGGIES,
OLIVES (especially kalamata),
pizza, seafood, and CATFISH and HUSHPUPPIES!
BOOKS by Laurie Parker
NEW! (Click for info) "The Sweet Dreams Book" (Laurie Parker, 2009)
A for Angels (Laurie Parker, 2007)
Tales of the Good Life (Laurie Parker, 2005)
Mad for Maroon (Laurie Parker, 2004)
It Really Said Christmas (Laurie Parker, 2003)
The Turtle Saver (Quail Ridge Press, 2002)
Louisiana Alphabet (Quail Ridge Press, 2001)
Texas Alphabet (Quail Ridge Press, 2000)
Mississippi Alphabet (Quail Ridge Press, 1998)
All Over Alabama (Quail Ridge Press, 1997)
Everywhere in Mississippi (Quail Ridge Press, 1996)
A self-taught artist, Laurie has been using the medium of COLLAGE since she was a child. She CUTS and GLUES paper, cardboard, and/or mat board to create her artwork.
Since 1993, she has been self-employed as an artist.
Her business began with her doing art festivals to sell her whimsical pins, which look like enamel, but are very lightweight.
Laurie also has a talent for writing in metered rhyme. So in 1996, she combined that ability with her collage skills and released her first book, "Everywhere in Mississippi."
Now, her livelihood comes from selling her artwork AND her books. The books are sold in stores, but products like those shown to the right she sells strictly at art shows and at select RETAIL gift markets (usually put on by Junior Leagues).
Here, she holds a Christmas ornament made from lacquered cardboard. It's a Santa sled--being pulled by 3 BULLDOGS!
Laurie was valedictorian of the Starkville High School Class of 1981, and is a 1985 Hall of Fame graduate of Mississippi State, where she received a B.S. in Elementary Education. She taught only 4 years before realizing it was NOT for her!! Her VERY BRIEF teaching background has NO connection whatsoever to her doing her books! Laurie returned to MSU in 1989 to pursue a 2nd degree in Engineering. Although she maintained a 4.0 in that discipline for 3 years, she also realized it was not for her, and did not finish the degree.
She finally went with her heart, and her TRUE calling--ART!
