Artist Statement:
BIO:
As a contemporary, award winning artist, Loretta expresses her visions in a spontaneous and direct fashion. Acrylic paint is layered, subtracted and manipulated using palette knives and brushes to synthesize an intricate and distinct tableau.
Colours and shapes take on an energy of their own and each subsequent layer of texture and colour she adds reinterprets her thoughts and emotions.
Loretta works with the passion that her motifs, their essence, will stimulate the mind's eye of the observer.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
I strive to combine the aesthetic feel of ancient and modern using a bold mix of styles, ranging from weathered and organic to sleek and contemporary.
Using brushes and palette knives, I create works that are either abstract or have landscape elements to them.
My process starts out very spontaneously, then becomes more detailed as the image presents itself.
My goal is not to document subjects or to make statements, but to make an emotional connection with the viewer allowing them to explore their own spirit and to inspire them as well.
I love that quote by Jack London... “ You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club”. Although I’m absolutely elated that I can create full time now, I certainly do not wake up every morning inspired skipping
into the studio. I find more often than not my inspiration comes after I’ve actually started a piece and then it kicks in big time. Regardless of how I feel any given day, I just go into my studio and paint. It's amazing how often I may have a bad start to the morning and then by noon my spirits are soaring and I see the day in a brand new light.
Education:
Self-taught : I began my artistic journey eight years ago after working in an unsatisfying office environment for several years. My husband and sister are professional artists and I had always craved an outlet for my creativity. Then I began having dreams where I was standing in front of a blank canvas, and paint would magically appear on it. The dreams became more detailed and continued for weeks. My husband John encouraged me to quit my job which I happily did, we sold our home in Toronto and moved to Cobourg, a small town an hour away. John built a studio for me and I began experimenting with acrylics and various other texture mediums. I was in heaven and knew this was my calling. Mind you the paint didn't magically appear on the canvas. I put in the hours enjoying every minute of it. The Universe, my inner guidance system, whatever, was sending me a message in my dreams and I'm so very grateful I listened.
Awards & Distinctions:
AWARDS:
2019 - Award for Juror's Choice 2nd at the Art Gallery of Northumberland's 41st Juried Exhibition
2017 - Award for the Derivative Abstract Category and the Award for the Imaginative Abstract Category at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery 50th Anniversary OAA Juried Art Exhibition.
2016 - Award of Excellence at the PRAC 17th Annual Juried Art Exhibition
2016 - Special Merit Award for the Light, Space & Time Gallery 7th Annual Abstracts Competition
2014 - Award of Excellence at the PRAC 15th Annual Juried Art Exhibition
PRINT , TV & ONLINE:
2020 - Featured on Episode 40 of Stella's Studio on Camoes TV
2020 - Arabella Magazine - Online Kaleidoscope Collection 1
2020 - Watershed Magazine Spring Issue -
Featured in Cultural Currents
2018 - Cobourg Now - Featured in article regarding home studio tour
2014 - Nuwork Magazine - Weaving Worlds featured in the summer edition
Exhibitions:
'From Women's Eye' Virtual Art Exhibition hosted by The Kefi Art Gallery - 2021
Society of Canadian Artists - 2021, 2020, 2018
Art Gallery of Northumberland, Cobourg - 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016
Mother Earth Virtual Art Exhibition ( Solo ) - 2020
The Federation of Canadian Artists Exhibition - 2019
The Artist Project, Toronto - 2019,2018,2017
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, City Hall, Toronto - 2018
The Riverdale Artwalk, Toronto - 2019, 2018,2017,2016
OAA Art Exhibition, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa - 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington - 2017, 2016, 2014
Ontario Society of Artists - 2015, 2014
Artistic Influences:
I have very eclectic taste in art and there have been several artists past and present who I have drawn inspiration from, however, I aim to create works that are uniquely mine alone and my true inspiration comes from within my heart and soul, through conscious and subconscious impressions, visions and dreams.
Artist Tags:
abstract, abstract landscapes, open spaces, peace, solitude, safe haven
