ORA artist Fendel deep into second career

By JULIE HOCKLEY

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Fiber artist Laura Joy Fendel has lived in Portland most of her life. Originally from California, she met her husband George a Portlander, on a blind date and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fendel, a retired elementary school teacher and published author, taught in the Beaverton School District for 30 years. Her books include “Call Me Capeablilty” and “Building Self-Esteem With Koala-Roo Can-Do,” books that help children improve their self esteem.

After Fendel retired from teaching, she opened her own interior design firm. As an artist, Fendel has created Fabric Art for more than 35 years.

Applying techniques such as appliqué and trapunto, she now throws herself into her art with the same passion that enabled her success in her previous endeavors. The next step on Fendel’s artistic journey is the creation of three dimensional fabric sculptures.

As a member of ORA: Northwest Jewish artists, Fendel, a mother of three with a youthful energy and appearance that belies her age, has enjoyed the continual interaction with other artists who encourage her to reach for new creative challenges.

You can see Fendel’s work as well as the work of other ORA members and guest artists at the Celebration of Art 2009, to be held at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center on Oct. 25, or visit ORA at www.northwestjewishartists.org.