Artist Night at the Opera - Laurel Latto

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This week we invited artist Laurel Latto to live sketch our Cinderella rehearsals. Born and raised in southern California, Laurel grew up in L.A. and settled in San Diego after attending college at UCSD where she majored in Biochemistry and minored in Film and Video. In 2001, she was awarded “Volunteer of the Month” by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for her volunteer work illustrating a teacher’s manual “Share the Care” for dental health awareness.  Recognizing her unique skill set she started, DonnaBellas (donnabellas.com).  Under her company, she has done private commission paintings, murals, storyboards, and online stores (zazzle.com and cafepress.com).

Laurel also pursued a career in clinical research, focusing on new treatments for cancer, but quickly recognized her art could help here as well. In 2007 she incorporated her non-profit, “DonnaBellas Angels” (donnabellasangels.org) with the motto “Medicine Heals the Body, Art Heals the Soul”.  The non-profit features inspirational art for mental health wellness.  Through donations of art prints and art royalty use, DonnaBellas Angels has enjoyed international success.  Her art is featured in many prominent cancer clinics across the United States.  Laurel has started a new art project “Awareness Gallery” (awarenessgallery.com) that features artistically styled awareness ribbons.

Laurel is now focusing on pursuing her career in children’s books as both an author and illustrator.  She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
























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