Meet the Artist: Lori Weeks

You can’t miss the bright and happy works by Lori Weeks the second you step into Art On The Square. Known for her lively images with luscious colors and textures, Lori’s highly-coveted paintings can be found at several Arkansas galleries. 

How would you describe your style? 

Impressionistic and colorful. I like to utilize an impasto technique, which gives that thick and textured effect bringing depth and life to my paintings.

It’s easy to spot a Lori Weeks flower! Are flowers your favorite thing to paint? 

Poppies are my jam! Some would say that I’m mostly known for my bright red poppy landscapes or colorful bursts of flowers. Colorful flowers are so fun. I love painting these because I can be flexible on size and color options, as well as texture. I can let my creativity flow and just dance around on the canvas. I work with both palette knives and brushes, using loads of oil paint to make my poppies… well… pop! I also can’t resist a cool old barn. I love painting Arkansas-inspired landscapes.

Where do you find your most inspiring Arkansas landscape settings? 

I grew up on Greers Ferry Lake in Heber Springs, and spent my formative years on the water and enjoying the outdoors. I find lots of inspiration from my hometown surroundings, but Arkansas is full of precious scenery and I can’t get enough of it! 

Tell us a little bit about your journey as an artist.

I’ve always been creative and excited about art. By age nine I had fallen in love with painting. I left Arkansas briefly to study graphic design and fine art at the Art Institute of Dallas and the Memphis College of Art. I spent some time in the corporate world before transitioning to fine art full time, working in creative leadership positions at ad agencies here in Arkansas. I’ve also studied under many artists including Glynda Turley, Tom Schmerler & Ernest A. Kilman. I’m so fortunate to get to do what I love! I really appreciate all my collectors - I’ve been told that my works bring peace and happiness into their homes. It doesn’t get much more rewarding than that!

Do you paint primarily from photos you’ve taken, or from memory?

I rely on my imagination because I find that I get bored painting from photos. Sometimes I just squint my eyes at the canvas and imagine a whole scene. The more I paint, the more I go by intuition and the less I go by guidelines. 

What are you up to when you’re not painting? 

I’m never not painting… ha! Well when I don’t have a brush in my hand you’ll find me with my family. Hanging with my husband, taking it easy, watching our son play sports. 

Any parting wisdom? 

If you love to make art, make art. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. If it makes you happy, find space and time to do it. 

Thank you, Lori! Seeing your work at Art On The Square brings us joy!