After owning a storefront/make and take art studio for 12 wonderful years in Marion, Iowa, she decided it was time to follow her own creative muse, and journey out on her own art adventure. She has been working as a full time mixed media artist from my home studio for several years now.
If you would like to stay up to date on what's happening in "Dori World", feel free to join her e-newsletter (link in upper left corner of my home page). And give her a follow at the below listed links.......
Dori takes the term "mixed media" literally. You name it, she'll try it! She works mostly with acrylic paints, but mixes them with all sorts of mediums...gels, pastes, graphite, collage materials, fabric scraps, pastel, stitching, wood, canvas, and clay to just name a few. She utilizes many unique mark making techniques, often reaching for unusual tools. Her abstract and figurative work is often described as "colorful, joyful, exuberant, and child like." Dori loves incorporating messages of encouragement. Sometimes obvious, sometimes not. Coming from a long line of women makers, I guess you could say it's in her blood.
She sells her work through various art festivals throughout the year. She loves participating in group shows and has put together several solo shows in galleries. In addition to selling her original works on wood, canvas, and paper, she sells an assortment of greeting cards, stickers and prints through her Etsy shop. Some of her paper goods can be found through a few retail gift stores. Pattern design is also a passion of hers. She's had the pleasure of designing several fabric lines and home goods through licensing.
Her art journals and sketchbooks are an important part of her creative practice. They are her most treasured bodies of work, because she can create in them for no one but herself. Her books are all about the process, not the outcome, and it's where she goes to explore, play, and work things out. Sometimes, when you look at a page in her books, she can tell you exactly where she was or what was happening that day. It's a great way to document a life.
She enjoys sharing the joy of art journaling and altered books with others. Dori teaches when her schedule allows, both in person and online. She says, "I really enjoy sharing bits of inspiration and seeing where that leads people on their own creative journey. Mostly, my goal is to put some good stuff out into this world of ours."
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"You Can Fly" - A painted installation for Marion Chocolate Shop Opening of "Burn Bright" my solo show at Witter Gallery in Storm Lake, IA |
"Thanks for visiting, friend! I sure appreciate you! Wishing you a colorful, inspired day!" -Dori
