We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lori Daugherty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lori, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Years ago, Mike Elsass, an amazing artist and individual, recognized my potential and graciously took me under his wing, serving as both a mentor and a friend. Initially, he invited me to assist him with his work, gradually guiding me towards establishing my very own studio. Through his mentorship, I learned to develop my artistic style, acquire marketing skills, cultivate connections with fellow artists and clients, and adopt a business mindset toward my art career. Encouragement, especially from admired artists, is pivotal for any emerging creative embarking on their artistic career. Mike’s mentorship is one of the most wonderful gifts that I’ve ever received, and I am deeply thankful for his continued support throughout the years.

Lori, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Armed with an array of torches, I create abstract paintings using the encaustic medium. I am driven by a vivid imagination and a fascination with color, texture, and motion, my art tends to capture brief moments that have caught my attention. I’m known for my bold, colorful, and lively abstract creations. Captivated by the encaustic process, I create intricate layers of color using wax, pigment, ink, shellac, and various other mediums. As an artist, my goal is to immerse the viewer into the intricate journey of each painting, by inviting them to explore its depths and complexities.

I have a studio/gallery called “Darty Art”, located at The Front Street Buildings in downtown Dayton, Ohio. The complex, home to over 200 artists is open during the first Friday and the third Sunday of each month. My studio/gallery is open to the public during these events, as well as by appointment.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The Arts are an amazing gift to society! Art plays numerous roles: it acts as a form of expression, fosters community connections, serves as a storytelling tool, promotes education, serves as a form of therapy, and sparks inspiration and creativity. Society must actively embrace and promote the arts for a thriving creative ecosystem. This can occur in several ways: individuals can contribute by purchasing artwork, attending performances and concerts, sharing artists’ work online, or posting event photos. Businesses can sponsor events, procure original artwork for their spaces, and contribute to grants aiding individual artists and programs. Some of these actions may seem simple, but by promoting the arts, the arts will continue to prosper.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dartyart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dartyartdayton
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dartyartdayton