Growing up in rural west Michigan in an artistic family set the grounds for Lori Hough's love for animals, artistic endeavors and style. Initially going to college for an art degree, her first class in zoology (a basic requirement at that time) at Grand Rapids Junior College turned her major to the study of animals.

After going on to receive a Bachelor's of Science in zoology at Michigan State University, Lori worked seasonal jobs as a wildlife technican. She captured, radio collared, tracked, and gathered various data on animals such as black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and fish. These positions allowed her more up-close contact with the animals she had grown to admire.

Working as a biologist aboard foreign fishing boats in the Berring Sea, Hough's interest in wildlife and art began to merge. In her spare time between sampling catches, she began fashioning papier mache animals. In 1988, what began as a hobby became a full time occupation.

Informed and inspired by her background in zoology, Hough's work features wild, domestic, extinct and fictional animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Her pieces vary in size and scale ranging from life-sized mice and elephants, to tabletop sized giraffes, to an over-sized frog and fish. But no matter the size, Hough's sculptures capture the essence and behaviors displayed by animals in real life (or sometimes imagined).

Hough's skill at creating papier mache sculpture goes beyond simply sculpting and painting. Instead her specialized techniques turn forms into something more, bringing life to her animal sculptures. She does this through use of strong gestural poses which form interesting compositions, employing advanced technical skill in creating armatures, and finishing the sculptures with an eye for detail. In addition to papier mache, Hough creates works in mediums of bronze, ferro-concrete, and welded steel.