Laurie
Mika is a
native
Californian,
born in
1953, in
Santa
Monica. She
has spent
most of her
life in
Southern
California
with the
exception of
her travels
abroad and
is currently
residing in
California
with her
family.
Laurie
attended
United
States
International
University
in Nairobi,
Kenya for
nearly two
years in the
early 70's.
Laurie
earned her
B.A. in
Liberal Arts
from U.S.I.U.
and
continued on
to graduate
school at
San Diego
State
University
where she
was enrolled
in the Art
History
program.
While
attending
graduate
school,
Laurie
worked in
the Gallery
at Bazaar
Del Mundo in
Old Town,
San Diego.
This work
experience
along with
her
education
and
extensive
travels to
places like
India,
Nepal,
China,
Ethiopia,
Tanzania,
Europe,
Mexico and
South
America have
all shaped
the way her
art looks
today. There
are
definitely
ethnic
influences
seen in her
work. While
having
explored
numerous
mediums, her
work retains
a certain
"look" that
is
unmistakable
whether it
be on
canvas,
furniture,
masonite,
wood or
cloth.
Laurie has
painted for
as far back
as she can
remember but
began doing
commissioned
paintings in
the
mid-1970's.
She has many
pieces
hanging in
residential
settings.
Since then
her work has
branched out
embellishing
a variety of
surfaces but
always
retaining a
certain
geometric
sensibility.
Most
recently,
Laurie has
begun
employing
her own
unique
handmade
tiles along
with
mosaics,
beads, and
jewelry to
create
"contemporary
icons".
These wall
pieces
reflect her
interest in
Byzantine
art,
Illuminated
Manuscripts
and Mexican
folk art.
These
disparate
sources of
inspiration
seem to find
a home
together in
this very
eclectic
approach to
surface
design.
Aside from
the many
paintings
and pieces
of furniture
that have
been
privately
commissioned,
Laurie has
recently
sold work at
Trios
Gallery in
Solana Beach
and Carlsbad
Village
Faire
Gallery in
Carlsbad.
She has also
participated
in many
group shows
including
Designer's
Workshop,
Designer's
Showcase,
Carmel
Valley
Artists,
Artwear,
Artisans Del
Mar,
Talmadge Art
Show and Art
in the Burbs
to name a
few.
Laurie
Mika is a
native
Californian,
born in
1953, in
Santa
Monica. She
has spent
most of her
life in
Southern
California
with the
exception of
her travels
abroad and
is currently
residing in
California
with her
family.
Laurie
attended
United
States
International
University
in Nairobi,
Kenya for
nearly two
years in the
early 70's.
Laurie
earned her
B.A. in
Liberal Arts
from U.S.I.U.
and
continued on
to graduate
school at
San Diego
State
University
where she
was enrolled
in the Art
History
program.