An Interview + A Giveaway {Lori Walters}

Today we continue our monthly interview series. A series in which I introduce you to some very special people…individuals who work equally hard at their craft and at living an intentional life. Someone new each month, sharing thoughts on creativity and discussing current work dear to his/her heart. Each individual who joins us will also generously offer some sort of giveaway. It could be a handmade item, a spot in a workshop, a collection of stones or crystals…anything that’s connected to the feature artist’s work and life. Their gift to you is of their choosing. This series will, I hope, create space to explore what creativity looks like to different people; I hope it will also create space to spread a little love through the gifts of our guests.

 

Today we’re visiting with Lori Walters.  When I first saw Lori’s work, I was smitten.  By her vibrancy, by her playfulness, by her heart. It doesn’t take long to feel Lori’s positive and uplifting energy.  It doesn’t take long to feel her genuine love and kind spirit.  It doesn’t take long to feel like she’s your friend. I’m so happy that Lori is joining us here today.  Are you ready for a sweet conversation?  Here we go…

 

Can you tell us about your creative work and business?

my creative work in this world is simple: to add my particular bits of love and light and goodness to the universe…with kindness being my guide. every single dot, line or stroke is filled with sparks of magic that comes from that special place ‘out there’ that flows through us…being creative truly feels magical to me.

happily, i’ve been fortunate that some lovely folks out there in the universe feel the bits of the magic that i feel when i’m being creative and making art, and they choose to purchase a piece of it. this allows me to keep putting those bits of magic together, and in turn allows my business to grow…color me grateful.

What does creativity mean to you?

one of my earliest memories is of holding a crayon, which i promptly put to use creating a ‘masterpiece’ on the dining room wall (another big dose of gratitude to my mom, who didn’t discourage my playing with crayons from that point on!). quite simply, my creative work is my life. whether i’m making a scribble, a painting, a meal or the bed (sometimes i leave it messy on purpose!), it’s all about the feel and the vibe of the thing or the act. i remember being introduced to the artist carol anthony many years ago, hearing her words and thinking “THIS…this is exactly how i feel, too! THIS is what being creative means!”… she said “true art to me is the art of just everydayness, surrounding yourself with the atmosphere of being. our creation of our particular beauty is our way of telling others to listen in their own lives, to breathe in a quiet moment. my work is only one piece of the larger magic show that we can listen to to help our lives be better.”

Do you have any rituals surrounding your creative work (do you play music, light a candle, take a walk)?

i have to say, i love rituals. i love the word, i love the acting out of them. my present ritual is to just be quiet. these words flowed through me a number of years ago, and these words define what ritual is to me presently:

there’s a story here     stop to listen     invisibles evident     what we hear in the silence

Have you always been a painter? Are there other media you’ve explored?

yes, painting is my true art-love. i do a lot of mixed media work, both on the canvas and sculptural type pieces. i explored pottery some years ago, and would love to revisit it sometime in the future!

I love the appearance of words in your paintings. Can you share with us why you choose to incorporate (so delightfully, I must say) the two?

first of all, thank you so very much! i’ve given this a lot of thought over the years. my grandfather (and best buddy) always encouraged me to express myself, to “say”…and when i thought of “saying”, both words and images formed in my mind (i’ve always been a very visual thinker). so when i began painting, i naturally took his sweet guidance quite literally…many of my very first paintings (and many subsequent ones) have the word “say” on them. it makes me smile when i do it, remembering how he always got a kick out of this story of mine!

Now some lighter questions…

What did you eat for breakfast?

a piece of skillet-toasted ‘hippie banana bread’ (banana bread with pumpkin+chia seeds, nuts and dried fruits)…yummmmmy!

Do you have a favorite day of the week?

it’s whatever day(s) sarah+i have off together…it usually involves a bike ride and/or a walk on the beach. then it’s time to gather in the kitchen to chop and cook and chat and sip on wine and share stories and a meal…one of my very favorite things to do!

Are you currently reading a book? If so, what is it?

yes, i’m always reading. and ironically, i have stacks and stacks that i’ve not gotten to yet, but i’m rereading two of my favorites: calder at home (the joyous environment of alexander calder) by pedro e. guerrero and the zuni cafe cookbook by judy rodgers. both books are very inspiring to me (so obviously i’ve been needing a little inspiration!).

What makes you smile?

so many things, but at the very top of the list is spending time with sarah and otis (mi pequeña familia dulce)! and kindness makes me smile…always kindness.

If you close your eyes right now, what word comes to mind?

sunshine.

 

And now for the giveaway…

Lori is generously offering a painting in today’s giveaway. It’s ‘a love revival’ mixed media painting (acrylic+oil+crayon+pencil+collage) and measures 4″x4″x1.5″.  In Lori’s words, it’s: a love note to love…it shares big love wherever it goes!  It’s painted on all four sides with fun colors+markings+such, making it all kinds of extra-special lovely!  I should say so!  Extra-special lovely indeed.
*shipping will be continental US only

To enter the giveaway, here’s what you need to do:
Leave a comment below.  In honor of Lori’s grandfather, maybe think about what it is you’d like to say today.  Then say it; express yourself.  Or just say hi. It’s all good (and it all counts towards your giveaway entry).  Comments will close at midnight PST on Monday, April 24 , 2017. The randomly-selected winner will be announced here in this post on Tuesday, April 25.  Comments are now closed.  

And the randomly selected winner is…Heloise! {Heloise, an email is coming your way shortly}  Thank you to everyone who visited and shared in the conversation with Lori. The comments were heartfelt and full of love.  How fitting.

And…Thank you, Lori, for being here with us.

Sending a little love your way, m

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Here’s where you can find Lori:
Website
Store
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