LORI RHODES
My name is Lori Rhodes and I am a contemporary abstract painter based in Northern California and Portland Oregon. Previously a business executive, board member, corporate wife, and stay-at-home mom - I now integrate how experiences have shaped how I create.
Twelve years ago I headed to San Miguel de Allende to satisfy a deep desire to learn to paint. I took my first art lesson ever to absorb how to make the kind of art I admired. How difficult could it be?
It turns out it is difficult. But in a magical way. 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.
