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

Lori, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Sometimes not having a plan is the best possible plan.

I had long enjoyed looking at works of art and trying to figure out “How did they make this? What techniques did they use? What decisions did they make along the way?” I had never had an art lesson in my life, and when I decided to leave corporate America, I headed to Mexico to satisfy a long-held private desire to learn how to paint. I did not have illusions about becoming an artist—I didn’t even know what that meant. I took my first art lesson ever to absorb how to make the kind of art I admired. How difficult could it be? Turns out it was difficult.

For the next eight years, I took a multitude of online and in-person watercolor workshops. During this period, my art education was hit or miss because there were no connective threads in the lessons. One didn’t build on the other. Still, it was during this period where I learned to “see” in a more present way. Over time I started to notice the relationship between light, shadow, shapes, textures, color and how any adjustment to one or the other could change the whole. I could see there were endless opportunities to shape outcomes, or to just go along for the ride. And yet, I still couldn’t figure out how to resolve a painting when I hit obstacles.

At this point, I started studying with artists Melinda Cootsona and Nicholas Wilton. I moved to the abstract world with acrylic paint as my primary medium. In doing this, I realized that these were instructors who didn’t focus on their own techniques, but rather taught elements and principles of design coupled with getting to know ourselves deeply and bringing out our feelings in our work. This became my biggest challenge. Composition, color, and value are understandable concepts, but the tricky part is creating art that reflects me. That requires looking inward to uncover how I feel. Growing up in California as the daughter of midwestern farmers gave me an incredible work ethic, but accessing how I feel is far more difficult. I can express my opinions, however expressing feelings is an entirely different challenge. Looking inward and revealing these emotions has allowed me to become an artist. This process is ongoing. Taking risks and experimenting with new approaches drives me, fueling my enthusiasm to paint and learn more every day. Communicating visually brings a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

As I continue to broaden my artistic practice, I have found several habits that support my desire to consistently access my feelings. When I create, I stop to think about what I am feeling. I try to sit with that. I interact with talented, generous artists who encourage me to reflect and think about why I need to create, people that provide insightful thoughts about my work and challenge me to identify when I am afraid to push further…and more importantly why.

I am drawn to the reality that there isn’t a “right way” to create. The connective threads have come together, and while the elements and principles matter, the artistic world is also a place of pure freedom. Freedom to break rules, experiment, and problem solve that brings joy and personal satisfaction. The bonus is really getting to know yourself and wanting to learn more.

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?

I am enjoying my fourth career as a contemporary abstract artist. My company is Lori Rhodes Art, and I have studios in Northern CA and Portland, Oregon. I generally paint on large, cradled wood panels with mixed media including acrylic, charcoal, graphite, pigment sticks, and collage materials. Shape and line work are fundamental to my abstract practice. As I work on a painting, the meaning and relationship of these elements evolves with each layer.

Previously a business executive at Xerox Corporation and M Squared Consulting, board member, corporate wife, and stay-at-home mom, I now integrate life experiences with what is going on in the world, and my reactions. I now communicate visually what I used to convey verbally.

I am represented by Laura Vincent Design & Gallery and Domov I.D. in Portland, Oregon. I also work with Slate Art Consulting in Oakland, CA. I am a member of Abstract’d Art Collective.

My work has been juried into shows including the de Young Open 2023 at the de Young Art Museum in San Francisco, CA, the CAP 40th Anniversary Collection Exhibit at Oregon Contemporary in 2024, CAP’s annual live auction in 2023, and the Art to Life International Juried Art Exhibition in 2021.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I can relate to anyone who has ever thought, “I don’t understand that painting.” Reframing how I looked at paintings and thinking about any emotions they evoked, positive or negative, became useful in understanding what speaks to me or not, and why.

I learned that accessing creativity can begin by listening to that voice in your head that may be interested in following a path that is unexpected. It might be an unexplained desire to explore something you have thought about or admired for years. I would encourage you to give yourself permission to investigate that desire, touch it, insert yourself into it without judgment or expectations.

After so many years where my professional identity and self-value were tied to performance metrics and corporate profit, and my personal identity was tied to the belief that I could ensure, rather than influence, my family’s individual and collective happiness, I am grateful to live in a more honest and accepting place. To let go of the things I cannot control and embrace ambiguity. To tune into simple beautiful things that I had missed before. To realize we can start something new and create something we never imagined at any time in our lives. Even without a plan.

Rick Rubin has written in The Creative Act: “Regardless of whether or not we’re formally making art, we are all living as artists. We perceive, filter and collect data, then curate an experience for ourselves and others based on this information set. To live as an artist is a way of being in the world. A way of perceiving. A practice of paying attention. Refining our sensitivity to tune in to the more subtle notes. Looking for what draws us in and what pushes us away. …..You exist as a creative being in a creative universe. A singular work of art.” What a beautiful way to express that we all have creativity within us.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the generosity of the artist community and the number of talented and interesting friends I have made, both artists and artist teachers. I have benefitted from their wisdom, competence, experiences, and from their generous and genuine support. For an industry where work is often created in a solo environment, the many opportunities to be a part of small and large sub-communities is an unexpected and precious bonus.

A close second is the privilege to create. Each day I decide how I want to spend my time. How I want to show up. What I want to convey. Each day I learn something new about my craft. There are few if any restrictions except for those in my head, and most of the time I can manage those. All of this has brought me joy, taught me how to ask for help and tap into my feelings. This, in turn, has broadened my self-awareness, and I hope, deepened my empathetic abilities. If there is anything you have long wanted to be a part of, I encourage you to give it a go. Satisfying your curiosity is reason enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: lorirhodesart.com
• Instagram: @lorirhodesart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lrhodes/

Image Credits
I used artrooms app for the two insitu shots