Lorna Cole

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Art chose me over 22 years ago. Debilitating arthritis forced me to undergo 5 surgeries on my fingers for joint replacements/fusions years ago. But this never stopped me from being able to hold a paint brush and let the pure joy and exuberance flow out of my heart onto my canvas. Use of vivid colors — the wilder the better — fuels my soul. Neons, metallics, iridescents and vibrant primary colors quiver energetically as they populate my work. They seem to invigorate my paintings into overdrive. In my current series, I start with a gesso ground. Then I pour a metallic plus two or three other colors from the top, allowing them to drip, blend or create patterns. The metallics interact in interesting ways with the other paints which I keep as the top or bottom 20% of the painting (providing a narrative). Using a variety of tools, finger wipes, paddles and a host of mark making tools, I explore the magic of what my painting can do when it does its “own thing”. The final exclamation found consistently in my work is my set of ARCs — sweeping broad and radical movements to tie my work together, bringing spirituality, consistency and awareness of our “struggling planet” to my artistic voice. All of my work is acrylic these days. I thoroughly find stimulation in experimenting with the products of various suppliers to find what works best. This is an opportunity to keep fresh and inspired in front of my canvas. Painting soothes my chronic pain. I always find myself feeling most alive in my studio. My work is from my soul to yours.