Bio for the artist:

Lauren Valantine’s personal art style is about as mixed media as it gets, including painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, mosaic, collage, beading, jewelry, textile art and a ten year career decorating custom cakes and cookies.

Fascinated by the joy and unabashed self-expression that so many folk artists create by way of any material available to them, Lauren finds inspiration in their jubilant voices-in the freedom and whimsy of their work and in the ways they uplift and brighten the dark corners of our world.

She has taught art in classrooms from preschool to adults, with a particular affinity for working with students in Special Education and in marginalized communities and as a volunteer with Tiyya, a local refugee resettlement organization and Isaiah House Women’s Shelter in Santa Ana.

Please note that the images shown feature works in progress. The completed Little Free Libraries can be previewed at The Tustin Art Walk on Saturday, October 18th. All libraries must be picked up in person at Arvida Book Co. once the auction concludes.