Laurie Burton, a local Starkville artist, has always had a passion for art, and in 2007, she opened the doors to her current studio.
 Burton’s studio, “Wild Rose Studio and Gallery,” houses her artwork and  the artwork of other artists who make an effort to seek her out. Burton said she wanted a location to display her art.
“I’ve always wanted to open a studio and gallery so that I could have a place to showcase my art,” she said.
Burton has a day job in Starkville, but she said art is her favorite past time. She started to spend a lot of time painting once her children were older, which was about 15 years ago. Her main emphasis with her previous works has been landscapes and still life.
Burton uses a variety of mediums and likes to try new artistic forms. Her art includes paints, notecards, furniture, tables and painted windows. Her most recent addition to her collection of works is sculpture. She has been working with the body as her main focus for her sculpture pieces.
Burton said she is inspired by several outlets but especially by outdoor surroundings.
“Nature inspires me, I love to go on walks and see all of the colors outside. But a lot of different things give me inspiration, such as traveling to unique places,” she said.
Her most recent adventure took her to Santa Fe, N.M. She said the landscapes there captured her attention. When she returned to Starkville, Burton was ready to go back to the studio because she had a wealth of new ideas.
Burton is very involved with the Starkville community. She is serving as a Cotton District Art Festival coach this year for the event in April. Burton also participates in the Starkville Area Art Council where she has a chance to meet a lot of other artists.
Burton’s works can be found at laurieburtonart.com and Wild Rose is open by appointment only. The studio can be reached at 662-694-1107 and is located at 302 S. Jackson St.