Laurie Mika is a mixed-media artist with a passion for combining and overlapping a variety of mediums creating an original style of mixed-media mosaics using handmade polymer clay tile. Laurie's background in painting is evident in her mixed-media works influenced by medieval and Renaissance art. The gilded devotional panels of the past become secular icons imbued with personal narratives. Art and folk traditions referenced in her work derive from her travels and experiences of living abroad, (East Africa). The highly embellished surfaces, including segments of text, form sumptuous tapestries of traditional and modern materials. Like a modern-day alchemist tinkering with the ancient art of mosaics, Laurie finds magic in combining disparate elements. Laurie shares her distinct style teaching at national and internationally recognized art retreats like ArtFest, Art Unraveled, Art and Soul, Raevn's Nest and Hacienda Mosaico in Mexico. She recently taught a workshop in Reims, France. Laurie is often on the move also teaching at venues across the States. Closer to home, Laurie participates in juried shows, teaches workshops and has her work in local galleries.

Laurie's work has been published in numerous magazines including: Expressions, Somerset Studio, Haute Handbags, Altered Couture, Somerset Gallery 5, Somerset Wedding and Somerset Home. Her work also appears in books: 400 Polymer Clay Designs, Mosaic Art and Style, New Techniques for Wearable Art, Beyond Paper Dolls, Taking Flight, Interactive Art Workshop and Mixed Mania. Her own book, Mixed Media Mosaics, published by North Light Books (F&W Publications) was released in 2007. It has received rave reviews on Amazon.

In new media, Laurie was interviewed on HeartsArt Radio, Go-Make-Art in Australia and for Abbey of the Arts. She also did the cover art for their publication, Presence. Laurie also appeared in a segment for Indie Arts DVD as a guest artist. In television, Laurie was featured on both HGTV's, Crafter's Coast to Coast and on DIY networks, Craft Lab.