Animal Portraits At an early age, Lori Levin was destined to be an artist. After winning an award in a local art contest at the young age of 9, she started serious art instruction. As a 13 year old, she was invited to attend classes at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She went on to receive her BFA, with honors, in 1994. Lori has always had a close bond with animals. She has always surrounded herself with them and currently uses them as the subjects of her art. Strong knowledge of animal anatomy was gained from hands on experience by working at the race track and managing her large equine boarding facility. Graphite and traditional oil paints are her mediums of choice. Her pieces are realistic and exquisitely detailed yet still have an impressionistic flair. Each piece she creates touches her deeply as if the animal was a part of her own family. Truly relating and feeling for subjects is what makes her work so successful. She was the cover artist for the April 2002 and August 2003 issues of the Equine Marketer and was featured in the July 2001 edition of the Horse News and selected as one of 6 artists for a special canine art exhibition at Sagemore Gallery, Ocean City, NJ, benefiting the Humane Society. The artist is well known for her work and has completed many private commissions. She is currently accepting commissions for your favorite pet or animal. Artist Statement I am inspired by the look and feel of animals and by the gifts they bring to our lives. What I try to capture on paper and or canvas is less the photo or sketch of the animal as it is the personality that I discover through observing my subjects and hearing stories about them from their humans. Drawing with a pencil gives me the sensation of actually touching each hair and fills me with a sense of connection. Painting is more luxurious and rich, providing me with the opportunity to make colors glow and show the full splendor of a living animal. My art is less about the photo or sketch and more about keeping the personality of my subject in my heart as I work. |