Laurel Latto, Children's Book Author and Illustrator
Born and raised in southern California, Laurel grew up near Los Angeles and settled in San Diego after attending college at UC San Diego. She majored in biochemistry and minored in film and video. In 2001, she volunteered with the non-profit Share the Care to illustrate their teacher’s arts and crafts dental health manual. For this, she was recognized as February 2003 “Volunteer of the Month” by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In 2003, she started a company, DonnaBellas, for her art. Under her company, she has done private commission paintings, murals, storyboards, and online stores (zazzle.com and cafepress.com).
In addition to art, Laurel has had a career in clinical research, which included new cancer treatments. She 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. Her art is featured in many prominent cancer clinics. In 2013, Laurel started another artistic project, “Awareness Gallery” (awarenessgallery.com), that features artistically styled awareness ribbons.
Laurel is starting to teach her inspirational art to others at SpiritPlaybook.com.
Laurel looks forward to having a 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.
Thank you!
