— About
Liz Lauter, California artist
A DNA test recently informed me that I am half Italian. My Italian friends response was, “We knew it. Italian people are creative and energetic”.
I have worked in many kinds of media over the years in the classroom and in my studio and it is the synthesis of that experience of exploration of materials, processes and historical sources that comes together in my artwork now. One evolves.
Right now I’m intensely interested in the intersection of 3D sculptures, folk art and surface design in my ceramic work.
Bio
I grew up in San Francisco, California and consider myself a California Artist, influenced by a multicultural, creative, and thoughtful environment. We moved to Israel for 4 years which added another dimension of culture to our lives. I live now just north of San Francisco in West Marin which was the safe haven for the SF hippies of the 1960’s. In many ways it still is.
My creative life as an artist has had to compete with a working career as a full time high school art teacher. The experience has been fulfilling and enriching, but will soon shift to retirement, freeing me once again to be in flow with my own art making.
My new chapter is beginning this year as I get ready to retire from teaching full time. I’m so excited.
Liz at home
Education
Lowell High School in SF
Ruby O’Burke Studio: Ceramics
Fred Hobbs: Saturday Painting
Mills College 2 year undergrad
UC Davis: BFA Studio Art, Painting. studied with Wayne Thiebaud
SF State University: Teaching Credential, Masters Degree in Education Administration
National Board Certified Teacher in Fine Art
Work
Studio Tavaas textile product design partner, located in Israel. 1986-1988 hand painted textile clothing and accessories.
Liz Lauter Designs manufacturing and design company owner 1989-current. Screen printed designs on apparel, accessories, and home accents.
Licensing my artwork onto textiles, ceramics and drink-ware.
Art Teacher at Redwood High School, larkspur, Ca. since 2000. Dept. Chair, District (TUHSD) Fine Arts rep. Teaching “Art Explorations” intro course, all levels of Ceramics and Sculpture, including AP level, and Beginning Photography.
Political rabbel-rouser and organizer
Interests
Painting in oils is may favorite 2D medium, but I can’t live without clay in some form.
Making pottery on the wheel is something I’ve done since age 11 when I started at a ceramics studio near my house in SF.
Gardening: I helped start the San Geronimo Valley Community Garden near where I live. I always have flowers growing close by.
I studied Botany at the same time that I majored in Art in college, so painting, illustrating and growing flowers and plants included making garden spaces.
I sew and design clothes and make textile pattern designs from my artwork.
I make mosaic tile murals, sculptures and installations anywhere I can.
Children’s book writing and illustrating is a secret passion that I do for my grandchildren. But some time soon, I will have time to create the stories and pictures that have been waiting inside me.