Rarely does a joyful artist spring from a life of pain, but Laurel Burch did. On December 31, 1945, Laurel Ann Harte was born to a troubled family in California's San Fernando Valley. Burch went on to create a multimillion dollar folk art business that influenced people throughout the world.
From Pain Comes Art: Laurel Burch's Life
"I grew up with this very fragile body but with this spirit that was so strong and feisty and courageous," Laurel Burch said (The Legacy of Laurel Burch).
Burch had a rare bone disease, osteopetrosis, which causes thickening of the bones but allows them to snap like toothpicks from the slightest pressure. She endured over a hundred bone fractures in her life, some caused by innocent actions such as a hug, a bump, or walking. Two of her last fractures were in her jaw: one the result of yawning; the second by chewing. As a result, she had to be tube-fed during the last year of her life. She was 61 when she died on September 13, 2007.
The Passion and Joy of Laurel Burch
"I want it [her art] to convey hopefulness and brightness and goodness," Laurel Burch said (The Legacy of Laurel Burch).
An unreliable body and a tumultuous family life led Burch to leave home at 14 with nothing but a bag of clothes. She supported herself by cleaning houses and babysitting. When she was 19, she married Robert Burch, but by 20, she was a single mother on welfare with two children to support: Aarin, her daughter, and Jay, her son. She made jewelry from wire and metal pounded flat on a frying pan in her kitchen and from found objects, such as bones and beads, and sold it on the streets of San Francisco. Soon her jewelry was in high demand.
An Indian businessman, Shashi Singapuri, became her partner and took samples of her work to China. In 1971, Burch was invited to China to work with the Chinese in manufacturing her jewelry. This was unusual since China was officially closed to the West and because Burch was a woman in a male-dominated business world.
While in China, Burch discovered cloisonné, a style of art made up of sections of brightly colored enameled metal. Cloisonné influenced her artwork throughout her life.
Burch dropped out of high school and never took an art class in her life. She taught herself to paint and later relearned the process using her left hand after fracturing her right hand. She delighted in learning about new cultures and envisioned a world where people lived together harmoniously. Both views are reflected in her artwork.
Burch married three times. Once to jazz musician, Robert Burch, then to Jack Holton, and finally to Rick Sara. Besides Sara and her two children, Aarin and Jay, she is survived by two grandchildren.
Burch's Legacy
Burch's artwork has appeared on such diverse products as earrings, fabric, posters, bags, t-shirts, rugs, pillows, blankets, and tee pots. The joy and love of life so apparent in her art has found their way into millions of homes.
Laurel Burch's Awards
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. 1986.
• Ray of Hope Award: Institute for the Advancement of Health. 1989.
• Women of Vision Award: International Women’s Foundation. 1989.
• Imagination Award: Champion International Design Award. 1991.
• Fascinating Faces: One of ten most fascinating faces in the Bay Area. 1991.
• Gifted Woman: Bay Area women for the Gifted Women Project. 1991.
• AD Artist’s Award: The Institute for Aesthetic Development. 1994.
• Ground Breakers Dream Makers Award: Presented by the Women’s Foundation. 1995.
• United Nations Association of San Diego: Acknowledgment for her many contributions to society and women. 2003.
• Living Legacy Award: Women’s International Center. 2005.
• The Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award: Presented by United Nations Association, San Diego. 2006.
• Marin Women's Hall of Fame: Acknowledgment for her many contributions to the arts. 2009.
For information on other designers, see Kaffe Fassett, Michael Miller, and Mark Lipinski.
References
Aaron Burch. The Legacy of Laurel Burch. Video. Viewed 12/5/2010.
Laurel Burch's Official Website.
Martin, Douglas. Laurel Burch, artist, designer, businesswoman. The New York Times. September 20, 2007.
Women's International Center. Biographies: Laurel Burch.
Mary Beth Miller - Mary Beth Miller is the author of two Young Adult novels from Dutton Children's Books, Aimee (2002) and On the Head of a Pin (2006). Some ...
Join the Conversation