We recently connected with Lori Landis and have shared our conversation below.

Lori, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

A surprise came when I went back to college in my early 50s. I was dealing with empty nest syndrome when I found an elective in drawing. I drew stick figures so this was a challenge. But I found with a lot of drawing and drawing I became better. Then the class evolved to paint and since I love color this was magic to me. My husband and I had been to Arizona in the past but it was calling to us to move from the plains to Scottsdale AZ. I went to classes at Scottsdale Artists met other artists and I decided to go for it. My surprise was when a gallery on Main St where all the galleries were, accepted me! My first sale came within two weeks where it traveled to Ohio. The gallery people were super helpful through my years with them and that followed being in Galleries in Florida, Oregon Telluride and Scottsdale. I also did commissions and was in a show in New York City with 5 other artists and in Corporate collections in the east coast. I then lost my mojo and nothing happened after all that excitement. Now I have peace because I know God has a plan for me!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I have been involved in the art business with marketing been through many ups and downs since my first gallery in 2003 with 2008 financial crash and my mental attitude I had decided to back off after being in other galleries and in corporation collections and having my own studio/gallery on Main St and closed my doors in 2014. The thing of being an abstract artist is NOT painting representational object paintings. It causes you to bend yourself to what is popular and you lose your authenticity in regards of who you are and what you are trying to say. So after three years I closed my gallery and set up my studio in my kitchen. I’m in my late 70’s and much more in tune with who I am. With that in mind I have my own website where I show small paintings either on canvas or on paper with shipping and taxes paid by me. I also show my blog which has my philosophy for 275 blogs on there. That shows the journey I’ve been on. I love color which expresses joy and my series are short because I have fun creating new and different paintings. www.LoriLandisart.com

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Having been in the Covid pandemic I’ve been in another epidemic which was polio. At 7 I was stricken with polio and was paralyzed from the neck down. I didn’t have the problem with lungs but I couldn’t move and was in University Hospital in a ward with the children some who died. Eventually I gained movement through my body except my left arm where my shoulder bone and another bone don’t connect. I have a great husband who helps cut food and open jars and helps me in other ways. It didn’t stop me from pursuing what I love especially working with big canvases lifting them one handed. Mentally have dealt with losses but grateful to God to what I have and what I can do.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Just being able to create in my own way to express love peace and joy! Having gained wisdom and confidence with this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LoriLandisArt.com
• Youtube: LoriLandis visual artist

Image Credits
Lori Landis for images