These two sweeties just picked for group show in Damariscotta . . . ovines getting some fresh air!

River Arts Opening Reception for 

“Faces & Figures” Exhibition 

River Arts in Damariscotta is inviting the public to the opening reception of its newest exhibition “Faces and Figures (animals included)” Friday, February 19th  from 5-7. The exhibition includes 120 works in a wide variety of media by 70 artists from all over Maine and runs through March 26.

The juror for the exhibition is John Lorence. Lorence attended Case Western, the Parsons School of Design, Cambridge School of Design and the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he earned his BFA and MFA. He has been the recipient of fellowships at YADDO, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, and the McDowell colony.  He has exhibited both his paintings and sculpture extensively in solo and group exhibitions in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S as part of the Art-in Embassy program.  Lorence’s professional interests include painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, art history, conservation and archeology as well as short films. He has taught at the Layton School of Art, Portland School of Art and the University of Wisconsin. He has had gallery representation in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and recently exhibited at the Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth. Lorence now lives in Newcastle, but did have a house and studio on Great Cranberry Isle for over 20 years where he was one of the island group’s 14 artists.

June 2nd Opening of Home Grown Artist installation at Primo

Once again, thank you to MK, PK, and JR for making this happen. It's up through June 30th. 

http://primorestaurant.squarespace.com/

Bio

Soon after being born in Yonkers NY in 1963, Lori Schafer relocated to farm country in Upstate New York while still in diapers. Surrounded by a menagerie of farm animals,

her love of them continued to grow and eventually found this love running alongside her love of creating art. A few decades later she founded WalkingWool™ Studio & Gallery—a name chosen because her love of sheep transcended all other animals, save for dogs. She spends the majority of her time making photographic portraits, spinning and dyeing wool, and creating wearable objects that celebrate the unique qualities of the “raw stuff.”

A longtime artist, Lori Schafer has worked at iconic NYC art museums and galleries. She is a dedicated vegetarian, and spent many years creatively absorbed with the fruits of her existence. A multiyear series of large scale vegetable drawings were inspired by her involvement with CSA farms. A juried competition sponsored by The Fitchburg Art Museum culminated in having those works displayed in the museum for three months. She has been selected over three decades to exhibit throughout the Northeast United States.

Lori received her BA Cum Laude in Fine Art and German from St. Lawrence University, and studied art history at CUNY Grad School for several years. She has also lived and travelled abroad extensively. She currently resides in Rockland ME with her husband Jeff and dog Igby, and is thrilled to work as a Host on the Primo Team for a third exciting season.

Statement

My approach with farm animals is up close and personal, just as it was with vegetables.  It would not be possible for me to get too near to them, and even take home pieces of their existence (wool fleece) to handle, transform, and celebrate. Even the fiber dyes I work with have a natural origin, whether they grow wild, or are cultivated in my gardens.

Taking the portraits is my way of bringing the animals back to the studio with me so that I can constantly savor the joy I get being near them. How can anyone not adore these beautiful and peaceful creatures? Clearly, I cannot!

WalkingWool™

Celebrating the Divine Ovine©

walkingwool.com ~ 774.345.0838  ~ walkingwool@gmail.com

Home Grown Artist Exhibit at Primo Restaurant in Rockland ME

Thank you so much to Chef Melissa, Price, and Justin for giving me the chance to show my farm animal portraits to the Primo community. The show runs from June 2 - June 30, in the Fireplace Room on the first floor of the restaurant. Here is a peek at the menagerie on view . . .