“Creativity arises from our ability to see things from many different angles.” ~Keri Smith
Artist Statement
Art is for me an extremely intuitive process that works best when I am able to completely “go with the flow.” Having done jewelry in the 80’s and 90’s, and then stained glass before moving on to painting and photography, I find that I am drawn to the abstract with a focus on design, color, and texture.
I come from a family of artists on my mother’s side. My mother (Susan Durfee, an accomplished artist) began painting when she was 40, and I followed suit. She gave me my first painting lesson, and from there, I was fortunate enough to have some wonderful lessons/classes from Maggi Grace, Lori Skoumal Reeves, Jane Filer, Nancy Marple, Celia Gray, Sharon DiGiulio, and Linda McCloskey. I found that the things I learned naturally extended to photography, where I find joy in discovering beauty in unexpected places and using the camera to see something in a new way.
Originally from North Carolina (with some time spent in Kansas as well), I now live in beautiful Nova Scotia and find inspiration daily!
EXHIBITIONS:
2015 (Durham, NC): Reflection Gallery (paintings) – “Interplay: Wuliger and Nufire”
2008 (Carrboro, NC): Carrboro Town Hall (paintings) – “Abstractions”
2006 (Carrboro, NC): Century Center (paintings) – “Mother Daughter Abstractions”
2005 (RTP, NC): Quintiles “Museum” (jewlery; stained glass)
1998-2002 (Raleigh, NC): Art Fest, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (jewelry)
1998 (Carrboro, NC): Arts and Crafts Market (jewelry)
1997 (Raleigh, NC): Fine Craft Open House (jewelry)
1993 (Washington, DC): The White House: A Year in American Craft (ornament)
1990 (Topeka, KS): Phoenix II Gallery (jewelry)
1990 (New Bern, NC): City Art Works (jewelry)
1990 (Lawrence, KS): Artists En Masse (jewelry)
1989 (New Bern, NC): City Art Works (jewelry)
1989 (Lawrence, NC): Art in the Park (jewelry)
1988 (Greensboro, NC): Art’s Desire: Community Council for the Arts (jewelry)
1988 (Greensboro, NC): Arlington Hall (jewelry)
1988 (Kinston, NC): Community Arts Center (jewelry)
1987 (Bonner Springs, KS): Renaissance Festival (jewelry)
1987 (Lawrence, KS): Art In Action Open House Studio Walk (jewelry)
ART CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
| Date | Place of Class | Class |
| 2016 | Springmaid Watermedia Workshop | Cold Wax Workshop – Linda McCloskey |
| 2015 | Jerry’s Artarama | Adventures in Encaustic Painting – Sharon DiGiulio |
| 2013 | P. Bachenheimer’s Studio | Encaustic Painting: Layering In Clear Medium – Celia Gray |
| 2008 | Nancy Marple | Acrylic Painting Class |
| 2006 | Carrboro Arts Center | Painting: Oils And Acrylics – Jane Filer |
| 2006 | Carrboro Arts Center | Painting Watercolor With Energy — Lori Skoumal Reeves |
| 2006 | Private Lessons | Acrylic Painting Tools & Techniques – Maggi Grace |
| 2006 | Private Lesson | Collage Techniques – Susan Durfee |
| 2001 | Private Lessons | Basics of Stained glass – Keri Alcock |
| 1996 | Meredith College | Metalsmithing – Mary Ann Scherr |
| 1989 | Penland School of Crafts | Metalsmithing – Gloria Bass |
| 1988 | Penland School of Crafts | Woodworking – Bob Ingram |
| 1987 | Penland School of Crafts | Metalsmithing – Paige Davis |
| 1987 | KU School of Fine Arts | Enameling – Olli Valanne |
| 1986 | KU School of Fine Arts | Metalsmithing – Jon Havener |
| 1985 | KU School of Fine Arts | Intro to Metals & Jewelry – Olli Valanne |
Laura Nufire Designs 