Katie Laurent

A Louisiana native, I grew up down a long dirt road called Picard Lane, in East Baton Rouge Parish. Where there was always plenty of love, fun, and sunshine. There, I learned how to cook Cajun food from my Father, learned how to be a kind heart-ed, southern woman from my Mother, and it\'s the birthplace of my love for art and painting. As a young adult I lived in North Louisiana, as I attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Being the first settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, Natchitoches is a city rich in history and culture. It is also Known as The City of Lights due to the lights displayed at the annual Christmas Festival, which continues to inspire my creativity. While studying there I tended bar at Mama\'s Oyster House, a local watering hole and eatery. It is there, I learned about the wonderful world of beer, how to shuck and suck a raw oyster, and I believe it taught me more about myself and life than college alone, ever could! Sketching the \"regulars\" at the bar for my art classes is a fond memory I\'ll never forget. Now days I\'m back in Baton Rouge, and my biggest job is being a single Mother to my four year old daughter, Molly. We spend most weekends on our colorful patio painting and playing in the fresh air. My Motto: I paint what I like!