About

I’m Lori, a late bloomer and self-taught artist.

Born in New York, I was 6 years old when my Italian parents decided to return to Italy. I grew up in a beautiful small medieval river town, Bassano del Grappa – about an hour Northwest of Venice.

At 28 I left Italy to explore the world, living and working in four different countries, finally returning to the U.S.A. in 1999. I made myself at home in Marin County, just a few miles north of San Francisco, California.

Embarking on a three-year-long sailing adventure that started in 2010, my husband and I left San Francisco, eventually making landfall in Punta Gorda, Florida in 2013.

I love nature and all animals, and thoroughly enjoy the peaceful beauty around me. Sometimes I even manage to photograph unsuspecting wildlife that may eventually become inspiration for one of my art pieces.

After ten wonderful years in Florida, we needed a change of scenery and moved to East-Central Alabama, choosing the charming small town of Opelika as our new home.

I also have a lifelong passion for my favorite dog breed, the Old English Sheepdog. They have been in my life since 1988 and I often depict them in my drawings. They’re the goofiest, cuddliest and most loving dogs.

I started painting in the summer of 2017, and drawing in November 2018. That’s why I call myself a late bloomer! Dabbling in various media, I eventually discovered an affinity for watercolors and colored pencils – until I got my hands on some pastels, then the real love affair began! Pastels are currently my favorite medium. I find inspiration in nature and particularly love birds in quirky poses. Domestic animals, particularly dogs, are another favorite subject. Also, I can’t resist an expressive face – human or animal. Drawing has helped me develop a keen sense of observation and taught me to notice beauty in unexpected places. Vivid colors bring me joy.

I’m here to display my work, bring you some color and hopefully uplift whoever happens to visit. If you spend a few minutes on this site and leave even a little bit happier than when you arrived, I accomplished what I set out to do. It’s all about sharing the joy.

“We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others” ~ Helen Keller

Thanks for visiting!