Lauren Paquette Owenmark is an artist, art educator, art therapist and SoulCollage® facilitator.  She received her undergraduate degree in studio art and psychology from Georgetown University and soon after became a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s MA in art therapy program.  Her first love in art was sculpture: chiseling in soapstone, carving in wood and hand building in clay.  It was during this time that she started making books.  Although she learned a variety of bookbinding techniques, Lauren became hooked on accordion-style books, as they are very sculptural in form.  Another appeal is that they have no beginning or end; they are continuous in their potential story telling capabilities. During her 15 years of experience working as an art therapist and art teacher with children, adolescents and adults Lauren continuously made books for herself, family, friends and as gifts.  Lauren moved to San Francisco, CA with her husband in 2005.  Since then she has been selling her books at neighborhood festivals, stores and now on-line.

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