Laura Bakus is an accomplished and mostly self-taught artist. She has explored many disciplines in the 3-D art mediums through adult ed classes. She has done Woodworking, Polymer clay, Stained glass, welding and 38 years as a silversmith and metalworker.

Ten years ago, she took a class in Gourd Art and has never looked back. She now explores every technique she finds to apply to her gourd art.  

Gourds are non-edible members of the squash family. They have been used since ancient times as vessels, though today are not considered food safe.

They are left to harden in the field or are harvested and put in sheds to harden until they become something akin to wood. Once hardened they can be carved, wood burned, painted and dyed. Many other techniques have been developed to decorate and enhance the gourd into a wide variety of art pieces.

Laura specializes in Spirit Dolls, Masks, and Vessels. Her pieces are often embellished with feathers and various botanicals. The vessels she makes may be lidded or finished with pine needle basketry or kumihimo weaving.