We were lucky to catch up with Lori Solley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lori thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Since grade school, I’ve had this creative inclination. However, it wasn’t until college that I seriously considered pursuing art or teaching. Initially I was studying biology, I took an art appreciation class that reignited my interest in art. The exploration of the technical aspects and contemplating and understanding the “why” clicked for me. That’s when I realized I wanted to explore these ideas both creatively and potentially professionally.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always been a crafty, creative person. I started taking art in middle school and then all through high school. My grandmother helped me learn to sew and we would do hems, repairs, make pillows, and other crafty things.

When I started college I was a biology major with no intention of pursuing visual arts. I took an art appreciation class, which re-ignited my creative energy and interest in art history.

I received a BFA in 2-dimensional work primarily printmaking and then attended TCU for my MFA in printmaking. I have always loved working with alternative materials and techniques. After grad school, my studio practice was working alone and it’s a different experience than making work in a studio filled with other artists. For a while, my work lacked focus and I was hung up on using non-traditional materials.

Then I had my first kid and I had to adapt to many changes. I tried to keep a sketchbook of ideas and notes for future work during the early days but being a new mom is exhausting. I fully embraced being a stay-at-home mom and most of the artwork I made was either a sketch or some craft in the pursuit of filling the days with fun or crafty activities.

My current body of work is charcoal drawings, collaged wallpaper, and/or embroidery on paper. I’m exploring the challenges of balancing my role and societal expectations of identity through the lens of motherhood.

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

I think in order to support artists and cultivate a creative ecosystem many approaches can help like engaging with the community, local art education opportunities, and of course financial support.

Community engagement is incredibly important for visual artists. This can be public art projects, cultural events, or local art fairs that help to create that bond with the community. These are things that require funding. This can come from either public or private funds. So having access to government grants or patrons helps to establish a strong ecosystem for artists. Having the support of the public is vital to all art communities which in turn can give something back. Murals and public work can bring in tourist stops and other opportunities for small towns and businesses. It’s important for both artists and other small businesses to want to collaborate and promote each other.

Having arts education in the school curriculum at an early age is important not just establishing art as a possible career because it’s not always about making more artists. Art is meant to help create more critical thinkers, young people with curious minds, and problem solvers. Another way to support artists would be offering professional development opportunities or artist workshops which can also help foster creativity and cultivate support for artists.

In the last 25 years artwork and artist visibility has changed in large ways because of digital platforms, online marketplaces, and social media. These new technologies have enabled artists to reach wider audiences and sell their work directly to consumers. I know it may seem like a small thing but sharing an artist’s website or Instagram profile can really go a long way in supporting local artists.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think that one of the goals that drives my creative processes is the desire to express my specific experiences of balancing motherhood and identity. I want to create art that could give voice to some unspoken parts of motherhood and how it can directly affect the way that we view ourselves.

I am using imagery of women that can address expectations surrounding motherhood and womanhood. My drawings are incomplete images of women that are meant to allow individuals to view their own identities. I am working on creating a body of work that helps mothers rediscover and reclaim their identities beyond their roles as caregivers.

Contact Info:

• Website: lorisolley.com
• Instagram: @lorisolleyart
• Youtube: Lori Solley Art