We were lucky to catch up with Lori Royce recently 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?
It was instinct.
Before I was even in tune to realize what Art actually was, before I ever took an art class, before I ever visited my first museum, before I ever really saw an art piece created from someone else I knew: I was attracted to art supplies!
Later, I discovered easels and drafting tables, portfolio cases, art studios, art galleries, art installations, art exhibits, art contests, art workshops & of course the creative and kind Artists I met along the way.
I loved it all. Still do.
I became very prolific with just an HB2 pencil and a sheet of Strathmore drawing paper.
It was when I entered Ringling College of Art & Design that I really learned how to paint.
Painting was a challenge….. but not for long. I picked it up quick and worked mostly with acrylics.
But I was intrigued by oils. It captured my newest attention. I discovered that using oil paints was a luxurious experience for me.
Oils. Selecting the oils.
Picking out the right canvas. Must be firm not loose.
Painting with oils. Must be high quality paints and brushes only for oil painting.
Using linseed oil to mix the paints. Not too much, not too little. Just the right amount. Making sure the linseed oil does not drip down the front of the canvas.
Painting with oils outdoors.Tubes of paint and turpentine/cleaning supplies should be away from the sun; in a closed box, preferably in the shade or covered with an umbrella overhead.
Blending the colors. Use as many colors as possible; so magical new colors begin to form!
Dealing with the wind outdoors or a strong summer breeze. Toggle pulls, big clips, sandbags are all necessary tools to strap down the canvas to the easel when painting outdoors or the canvas could blow away, fall to the ground and mess up my creation.
Drying the painting. Upon completion, oil paintings take a long time to dry. Could be a couple of months. Then varnish it before delivering the artwork to its destination; whether it be to a client directly or to a show/venue. Plan ahead for the drying time.
I remember one time when I had first started painting, I took my easel outdoors in the fresh air to paint by a swimming pool. My canvas lightly resting on my easel. On a beautiful day with not a care in the world I was easily moving my oil paints across the canvas to create a sunny scene of blue skies and light colors. After I was halfway finished with the painting; using up an awful lot of paints for this large canvas, a visitor came over to my easel and inquired about the piece. Before I could begin to describe my artwork to this person, a big gusty breeze came along and lifted the painting right off my easel & blew it straight into the pool!
The visitor was shocked, I was laughing, my oil painting was now floating & soaked in chlorinated pool water and I thought it was ruined. With my street clothes on, I dipped into the swimming pool and retrieved my canvas, then kept the painting outside for a couple hours to let the sun dry it out naturally. I’m not even sure how or even if it’s possible, but my painting was able to be finished later without any evidence from the incident. Oil and water do not mix in art materials. I was grateful that the painting was not destroyed. With memories of that day, I now paint outside only when my canvas is securely strapped down.
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?
It all begins with witnessing a stunning scene outdoors! I’m pulled into the mystery of a breathtaking sunrise or a spiritual sunset unfolding over the water. My need to capture that onto canvas is strong. My desire to recreate it accurately is real. My hope of creating art that is forever visually & mentally rewarding to both myself and the viewer is my gift.
Drawing since childhood (about 4 yrs old) I was mesmerized by my own natural talent. Always knowing I would not only be an Artist one day, but at such a young age I realized I already was an Artist; provided me with much calm & peace. Never struggling on deciding what to do with my life nor what to study; I had a clear path on how I wanted my professional journey to proceed and couldn’t wait to get started. Waiting for adulthood would take too long. I practiced my craft every day & others watched as something wonderful took over upon me while I was creating. Which led me to have my very first solo art exhibit at age 12.
I love all the gear! Special drawing papers, colorful soft pastels, big new canvases, expensive bright tubes of paints, silky brushes, old fashioned big heavy easels, the smell of turpentine floating around the air in my art studio.
Affectionately I carefully craft my seascape paintings. Lovingly I also sell them. Sometimes it hurts me a bit to sell a piece that I worked so long on; and I miss my art when it’s gone. But then I see the smile on my client’s face. Then later I receive a photo of my artwork installed in their home or office or on their boat. (Yes, I sold a piece to a boat owner. That was fun!) Or I hear about how my client selected a frame just for that piece they bought. How excited they were.Then it’s all worth it.
Selling my artwork & exhibiting in so many different places each year; thus generating sales from multiple venues and online retailers, it is with much clarity for my next step that I decided to recently open up my own online store with my own website for you to go shopping directly through me: www.LivingAnArtistLife.com
You can purchase original paintings ready to hang; showcasing my love for the ocean, the beaches & the enlightening sunrises & sunsets. When you view my artwork, you will experience the same extraordinary feelings I felt when actually seeing those natural occurrences happening in person.
Once you purchase a piece of my art you will have a lifelong aesthetic connection to me. A little piece of me is in every painting I create. That is what I believe sets me apart from some other Artists. I was there in that scene. I walked along that beach. I saw that sunset. I felt that gust of wind. I had the ocean’s spray lightly dampen my skin. And if I’m painting on location away from my studio? You’ve got even more of me in the artwork. Experience the Power! I do.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The world is a crazy place right now. Such anger, such nonsense, too much violence, too much fighting, too much senseless dying, not enough responsible decisions being made.
My artwork is peaceful. My paintings are sending you a message. My images are answering your questions; but you have to first ask: What is really important in life?
Reevaluate your goals. Relax your mind. Heal your spirit. Surround yourself with peace, joy, family & good friends. Try smiling more. Definitely laugh more. Be nice to others. Embrace each day as a special day. Stay healthy, stay organized, stay focused on what’s important. It’s all around you!
Just open your eyes. Go outside, step into the sunshine, breathe in the new day, put away the electronics, strip away hard feelings towards others, tilt your head up to the sky, listen to the birds singing above as they fly overhead. It’s life changing! This is what my seascapes are about. This is what you need. This is what you can have. This is what I create for you.
My mission is to show you that you can have the clean beautiful life you want. I have done it for myself. Through my art, I am sharing it with you.
I am pleased to announce that my creative journey also includes an invitation to all Artists to sign up for my “Coastal Painting Retreat” this August 14-16th, 2023 in Miami Beach Florida; where you can experience the “high” for yourself with your own art in your own painting style while creating our masterpieces together in a group setting right on the beach. In collaboration with the legendary Sagamore Hotel this will be a 3day/2night retreat, offering (3) painting sessions right at the Hotel. No pressure, no car needed, no shoes required! Bring your favorite art supplies and paint along with me as we park our easels right into the soft sand on the beautiful Florida coast. Refreshing & Invigorating! Limited spots available. Small artists groups welcome. Reserve your spot now. Reservations close July 26th. More info on my website & to book the retreat visit www.LivingAnArtistLife.com
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Being an Artist for me is effortless.
Building my Artist social media presence is not.
I wasn’t sure how to or where to begin. Listening to others talk about where to post my art, then setting up too many online platforms though at the same time, I learned what I liked and did not like about each platform. Whether it was the technical issues, the rules, the types of postings allowed or not allowed or the difficulting of figuring things out; I soon eliminated the social media platforms that I knew I wasn’t comfortable with and kept the ones that I actually enjoyed keeping up with. So I am now down to only two social media platforms for my business; in addition to my website.
About a year & 1/2 ago I signed up with a Coach. One that specializes in coaching Artists only. One that is kind, quiet, happy and not pushy. One that offers a lifetime membership of coaching, tips, online classes, social media workshops, podcasts, live zoom quarterly meetings, etc…But it’s not just for me. Coach has hundreds of students. The cool thing is that all the students can communicate with each other in a private online group chat; so that we are not only receiving tips and wisdom from our Coach but also from each other. I have learned a tremendous amount of info and would not be where I am today online, without this knowledge.
If you are just getting started online to build your presence for your craft, please get a Coach. Use the internet. Search Coaches. I signed up for every free coaching call I could find available. It took me a year to the locate the right Coach for me. Take the time to do it. It’ll pay off sooner than you think. I really don’t like the internet or computer in general; yet have at least tackled & pushed through the rough parts ( technical & time management) so that now I can post easily & enjoy it; all while generating sales of my coastal artwork. Social media is especially easy to manage when I have exhibitions. Social media is great for sending out invitations and making announcements to those I already know and those I have yet to meet at one of my many shows in person.
If you want your art in front of alot of people and are ready to sell it, then move in that direction.The faster you begin setting up your online profiles, the faster your craft turns into a thriving business. Just do it! After having gained thousands of followers and connections in only a year & 1/2, I now feel obligated to show up on the internet on a consistent basis to not let everyone down. Pressure? Not really. I found out that I like responding to the reactions and comments I receive and happily wait for more to come in. Could be the quiet writer in me that lurks deep in my soul. Maybe I’ll write an Artist column for a Magazine one day. Maybe I’ll write a script for TV about an Artist as the central character. I found out that the more I respond to comments the more my posts get shared & stay actively in a feed, the more new connections I make, the more people follow me. Some of the amazing opportunites that have come my way have come about because I was found online.
Get going on social media. Post your artwork. Keep your posts clean, keep your posts on a consistent schedule that you know you can handle & keep up with (I post 1-2 times a week). Keep it professional, use great photos and have fun with it and Get Your Artwork Seen and Sold !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livinganartistlife.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.royce.artist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076421512147
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livinganartistlife/
Image Credits
Lori Royce