Ageless artist interview with Lorrie Taylor

Her Creative explorations in Hawaii !

I have been thinking about ways we can create community and solidarity online for the Ageless Artist who is working continuously to grow and make art to sell or because its their lifeblood. We are situated worldwide and our commonality is our love and creation of art. My intention always has been to encourage the artist of my vintage (67)-a little younger or older perhaps - to share their stories and challenges as an artist in this place in time. We understand the world has shifted and changed since our early artist days and how could it not? How we navigate these times as an artist is personal -but often requires a shift and perhaps new opportunities to try out new skills and approaches to our profession . Growth is possible and imminent. Here at “Get your Artist Jetpack On” we will be learning from artists who continue to forge new paths in their art practise!

This post we learn about Lorrie Taylor making her art in Hawaii ..

Could you share a brief bio of whatever you wish to say about yourself/your life journey as an artist?

I have been a creative and artistic person since childhood. My creations tended to be a bit extreme, like the time I had my mom buy me a bag of cement to make a fireplace for my doll house. I was 12. It turned out spectacular. I was raised in suburban Chicago. Much of my time was spent outdoors on adventures and I still find that to be my favorite way to spend time. I lived in Ontario, Canada for some 20 years and lost touch with some of my artistic needs for a brief time. Since then, I have moved to Hawai’i and have embraced my art as a true passion and pursuit. During my recovery and what I can sum up as a bad year, I spent more time making art and decided to do a master's degree in counseling and art therapy. I am loving every minute of it.

What is your current passion? What might we find on your maker’s table?

My current obsession is oil painting. I was very intimidated by it in the past and after taking a prerequisite on the medium I am hooked. An art friend of mine moved away and left me with a stack of canvases that I am slowly filling.

Can you speak of some of your learnings/influences as an artist over time?

I really wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic, so I lean to photo influences first; Ansel Adams and Annie Leibovitz. From there I need to report Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe.

I also love the work of Francis Bacon, Edvard Munch, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. There are so many others too.

Have the changes in social media , internet marketing impacted either positively or negatively on your practise? How?

I think social media has watered down art. We are harder on ourselves when we have access to an unknown number of other artists all showing their best work. Originally, I thought it would open it up for me to be able to reach more people and make more sales, but I am finding that is not the case. I ended up closing our web page. I do like having Square at art shows though. That has helped.

What are some of your proudest moments as an artist?

I am currently teaching an art class at a local library, and I love sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for the creative process with others. Extremely rewarding.

How has your art changed and or evolved over the past few years?

I have been expanding my use of media and styles. I was making realistic fish paintings using pointillism and met a street artist in San Francisco that changed my view, so I started doing the shape styles. I love changing and evolving

Do you think that your environment and where you live influences your art practise?

I used to love to do “found object” art, but I am finding that it does not sell here. The current art market is very tourist based and tropical. While I have painted fish and was on a serious octopus groove for a while, I get bored and like to try new things.

Name one interesting thing about yourself that most people are not aware of ..

I spent time as a fisheries technician, a Commercial Fisheries Port Officer, and a Deputy Conservation Officer.

Do you have a favourite media choice and or subject in your art?

I don’t pick favorites. I even did a pottery class and was quickly hooked on that!

What words of wisdom might you offer to other artists? (Emerging artists in particular) ?

Stay true to yourself and don’t stop creating for anything. Nothing is that precious. Sometimes it is just about the process, really.

Thanks Lorrie!

You can discover more about Lorrie and her art on Instagram Confusion limited Art