Laurel Burch was an American artist with an unusual story. Looking at her art, you would naturally think she led a bright, colorful, happy, mystical, imaginative life – which was partially true. She suffered from an illness called osteopetrosis, a rare bone disease which causes bones to break under the slightest pressure. Most people who have this disease rarely survive childhood; Laurel Burch lived to be 62. (She died last year.) At times, she would have to hold up broken limbs with ones that were intact (she taught herself how to paint with her left hand,) painting instead of talking when she broke her jaw, and doing what she loved from her bed or a wheelchair. Starting out broke, with a paper bag of clothes to her name, Laurel built herself up as an artist and became one of the most celebrated and collected artists in the country. Her artwork lives on as an inspiration to many.

Fourth graders, using metallic paint and oil pastel on black paper, experimented with Laurel’s signature style.