From Lori—
“As far back as I remember, I always wanted to paint and draw. As a kid, I spent my Saturday mornings at the Tonoff Gallery in Providence taking lessons in drawing and painting. Earning degrees in textiles and art, I decided to become a teacher. My teaching career, including continuing education classes and workshops spanned over 30 years.
My advice to aspiring artists is learn the basics. Take the time to learn to draw well. Practice, practice, practice. There is no such thing as talent, only hard work. There are many wonderful classes at local art associations for all levels. Take all the classes you can. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Make lots of mistakes...happy mistakes!”
—Lori (Loretta)
The Artist—
Professional Affiliations
New England Watercolor Society
Pastel Society of America
Wickford Art Association
South County Art Association
Rhode Island Watercolor Society
Education
University of Rhode Island: Bachelor Degree in Textiles and Art
Graduate classes at RISD, URI and RIC
Many classes and workshops including portraiture with the late Daniel E Greene; Chinese Watercolor with Lian Quan Zhen; Portraiture with Paul Leveille; watercolor and Chinese Brush Painting with Won Ok Park
Teaching Career
High School teacher for over 30 years
Continuing education classes at Community College of RI and Johnson and Wales University
Many workshops and art classes in Rhode Island and Florida since retirement in 2009
Solo Shows and Group Exhibits
Studio 460 Gallery, Wickford
Ohanga Gallery, Cranston
Rhode Island Watercolor Society Signature member showcase
Wickford Art Association juried member shows
South County Art Association Artist Member Exhibits
Warwick Center for the Arts
Courthouse Center for the Arts
Chapel View Gallery
Eunioa Gallery
University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Coastal Institute
Rare Disease Foundation, Beyond the Diagnosis: Five portraits included in the traveling exhibit.
The Artwork—
Lori’s artwork can be found in many collections and publications
Artscope Magazine March/April 2023
State Offices of Rhode Island
Narragansett Library (portrait of Maury Loontjens)
A Watercolor A Day by Oscar Asensio, Promopress Publishers
Portrait of Aikido founder O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, prints in U.S. and Asia
Awards—
2021 April
Wickford Art Association—Abstract Exhibit—First Place Award
Breaking Free (watercolor)
2020 July
Wickford Art Association—Annual Members Exhibit—Third Place Award
Bridging Time (pastel)
2020 June
Wickford Art Association—Ocean State Exhibit Juror’s Award
Sea Glass (pastel)
2018 June
Providence Art Club—National Show Acceptance
First Flower (pastel)
2017 June
RI Watercolor Society—Anything Goes Exhibit—Honorable Mention
First Flower (pastel)
2017 July
South County Art Association—Annual Member Exhibit—Best Drawing/Pastel
First Flower (pastel)
2017 February
Rhode Island Watercolor Society—Color Exhibit—First Place Award
Against All Odds (pastel)
2015 May
Warwick Museum of Art—Colors of Spring—People’s Choice Award
Blue Reflections (watercolor collage)
2014 September
Warwick Museum of Art—People’s Choice Award
Cascade (pastel)
2013 June
WAA Blues Exhibit—Honorable Mention
Perseverance. (pastel portrait)
2013 April
WAA Mixed Media Exhibit—Honorable Mention
Blue Reflections (watercolor collage)
2012 January
WAA Fire and Ice Exhibit—Honorable Mention
Snow Dusk (watercolor)
2012 January
WAA Wickford at Slater Park—Honorable Mention
Black Point (pastel)
2011 July
WAA Art of the Ocean State—Third Place Award
Bass Rock (pastel)
2010 June
WAA Anything Goes—Honorable Mention
Temptation (pastel)
2012 September
Wickford Art Association—Annual Art of the Ocean State Exhibit—Second Place Award
Skunk Cabbage (pastel)
2006 August
WAA—Honorable Mention
Ruben (pastel portrait)
2006 July
South County Art Association—Members’ Invitational—Terry Hill Award
Black Point II (pastel)
2006 June
WAA—Second Place Award
Black Point II (pastel)
2006 February
WAA—Honorable Mention
Stormy Weather (pastel)
