The Morning After

The Morning After

It’s quiet this morning . . . quite a difference from yesterday afternoon. This is the morning after my first Open Studio since the pandemic, and I can’t believe I took no photographs. So as I sit outside the studio, watching a blue jay perch on an empty easel and flowers bloom in the sunshine, these words will be my reminder of the joy that comes with sharing art and stories, along with the camaraderie of friends old and new.

The energy in my little studio filled with fellow artists, teachers and creatives of all kinds was simply amazing. Contact info was shared by many as we found more commonalities at a time when we see so much divisiveness in the world. Art has power, and I, for one, believe that coming together to celebrate art is coming together with hearts full of love. It’s about gratitude to have the means to create and the means to purchase. It’s about focusing on positives, like what works speak to us and what feelings are invoked while studying the colors, textures, strokes and marks. It’s about sharing. Many guests to the Open Studio brought a guest, exposing them to the new adventure of art collecting. As I said, the energy was amazing!

It is with great appreciation and lots of love that I write these words to remind me of another inspirational and joyful exchange called Open Studio. Thanks to all who followed their heart and journeyed into my world of art. No photos required. See you at the next one!
Lori

Stay Home But Please Stay in Touch

Stay Home But Please Stay in Touch

I hope your home is filled with treasures that bring you joy. Furthermore, I hope your favorite works of art are top on the list of your treasures. They are for me, and I am blessed to have my studio as part of my home. I’ll be helping to slow this monster with extra time in the studio, creating what I can. Got to take the advice of a great friend who recently wrote encouraging words for me to turn off the news and concentrate on painting because, “the world needs all that beauty you create.”
By staying home, we are saving lives. I truly believe that.
By staying home in the studio, I hope to bring joy and peace to the comfort of your home with new art as often as I can. This (loridrew.net) is my website, and I welcome you to tour the gallery at your leisure during the next 30 days. If you have any inspirational photos, I’d love to see them. Email me at lori@loridrew.net, and if you need help adding to your art collection, just let me know.
Stay home. Stay safe. And please stay in touch.
Lori

No Cart, But Lots of Heart

No Cart, But Lots of Heart

Last week was a bonus week . . . I was gifted with a full week in the studio . . . practicing, playing and picking up the pieces of paintings left unfinished. In other words, although there were struggles, there were also some successes and I found myself feeling good about a couple of things I wanted to share with you.

The first was an exercise in freedom. It’s harder than you think. No planning allowed, only a will to lay color to the surface and keep going until you feel satisfied. The big idea behind this exercise was to be oblivious to the applause of others. Over the years, I have somewhat grown in confidence because of time spent practicing the process, and although I still seek approval, I am happy if I can look at the finished work and smile, at least a little, knowing I did my best and that I would happily hang it on my wall. But please don’t stop the ‘likes.’ I’ll be devastated.

The second thing I learned last week came after a conversation with a dear friend who wanted to know why I don’t have the ability to make purchases on my website. Without even thinking about this in depth question, I said, “because I want to meet the people who like my work.” So far, I really like everyone who likes my art. It’s crazy, but I don’t want to give that up by including a shopping cart and digital checkout. I want to get to know you, maybe meet your family, share a few bites or a glass of wine and hear what you love about my art. It feeds my soul and gives me the courage to continue.

So I guess what I’m saying is that I need you. I enjoyed the quiet studio time striving for freedom from fear. But we need each other in this journey of life, and art enhances it.
I hope I’ll see you at the studio someday soon. In the meantime, enjoy the new additions to my website. No cart, but lots of heart!

My Art Made It To The Museum

My Art Made It To The Museum

Although I never dreamed of having my art hang in an art museum, I have to admit it feels really good . . . and it’s going to feel even better when it sells at the Huntsville Museum of Art 29th Gala next month. Their website explains, “The Museum seeks to foster understanding of the visual arts and appreciation of artistic achievement. The mission of the Museum is to bring people and art together through acquiring, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the highest quality works of art.” Wow! What an honor to be included in “highest quality works of art.”
So as I was thinking about museums, and then galleries, I came to the realization that although it is truly wonderful to gain such inclusion and recognition, for me the real honor comes from you hanging my art in your home. There is no finer place because it is your personal space, your sanctuary, your comfort zone. An invitation into your world is the greatest compliment.

Wonderful People

Wonderful People


I meet the most wonderful people on this artistic journey of mine. Some stay close for just a short time, yet the connection is so meaningful as they take home a creation that communicated something deeper, along with a cutting or two from the studio garden. Some stay in touch via social media channels, cheering me on. Still others become great friends and get together for meals around the fire on cool winter nights. Today I received a text from a very special collector turned prayer warrior who I appreciate more than you can imagine. The image here is hers, and every so often, when I need a little boost, I look back on her loving, prayerful texts and thank God that He brings such blessings into my life through art — each one a true miracle (they happen every day, you know).

Speaking of blessings, my website is updated with new images of available art, not all, but I am working on it, thanks to Aaron Sutton, website designer extraordinaire. His patience is phenomenal as I am most likely his queen of technologically challenged clients who insist on having a hand in the process. Promising myself to keep this site as calming and easy going as my studio. Wish me luck!

And if you are one of my wonderful people, I hope you can feel my gratitude in this blog hug.

Love,
Lori