Biography

photo by Jennifer Esperanza

Lori Faye Bock's paintings of animals speak to the soul and the heart. She declares her affection for the animal world with wit, lively color, and jaunty poses, striking a responsive chord in the viewer who can't fail to recognize the truth in her images.

The artist says, "Knowing animals and caring for them is one of life's joys. Even the most ordinary-seeming animals are truly extraordinary and give us so much. My art reflects my life." Bock and her husband live in an 18th-century adobe on a riverside farm near Abiquiu, New Mexico, where they delight in the company of some forty sheep, six dogs and six cats.

Lori Faye Bock and Waxlander Gallery support American Pet Cross

Lori Faye Bock was born in Detroit and credits supportive parents, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and a scholarship to The Center for Creative Studies' College of Art & Design with her pursuit of a career in art. She studied ceramics and went on to teach in the Watts area of Los Angeles while producing hand-painted ceramic art, often with animal imagery.

In the late eighties, Bock moved to Santa Fe and opened a studio and gallery on Gypsy Alley, an artists' haven off Canyon Road. Longing for the rural life, she and her husband purchased their property in the agricultural community of Los Silvestres north of Abiquiu and proceeded to acquire their menagerie. In 1994, they founded the Abiquiu Studio Tour.

After working in clay for over twenty years, Bock began painting her images on paper, board, and canvas, continuing to portray her beloved animals. Already successful as a ceramicist, she found a ready acceptance for her paintings among collectors. Her images are known nationally and have been used by PETsMART, the ASPCA, and American Humane.

Lori Faye Bock's work has the whimsy of a Klee and the color and detail of a Matisse. Her paintings deftly capture the essence of their subjects with a dash of irony, humor and often, poignancy. Her reward comes, she says, when the joy she feels in portraying her animal subjects is communicated to those who see her paintings.

Printed with permission and written by Charlotte Berney

In the beginning, surrounded by a menagerie of cats, dogs & sheep, whose eyes just don’t ever leave me alone ... ever - there was no doubt in my mind what subject matter I was to paint. So, I painted and painted and painted ... animals.

I live in a most beautiful river valley encircled by majestic mountains to the north, south, east and west - so it was just a matter of time before my animal paintings had skies, land & water.

Household objects, both ordinary and extraordinary, intrigue me. I believe my windowscapes evolved so that I can have animals and landscapes along with those wonderful domestic inventions - all in one painting!

My years as a first grade teacher have no doubt influenced my ABC Series. Besides being able to paint anything in the whole wide world as long as it begins with a letter of the alphabet - I get to write text which accompanies my illustrations. Sometimes these words are funny. Sometimes they are serious. Sometimes they are mine and sometimes I borrow from others.

The everchanging relationship between composition, color and subject matter continue to interest me. As I embrace my 50th year of life, I am questioning less and doing more. At times I find myself pushing boundaries like there is no tomorrow - like there are no rules.

People tell me I am funny. They say they feel good because I make them laugh. If I can squeeze a smile, chuckle or better yet downright roaring laughter because of the joy, beauty, wit or humor I transmit through my art, then I believe I am doing my job well. And if someone falls in love with my animal paintings and goes running to the nearest shelter to adopt a cat or dog, or both, then I think I deserve a gold star.

Being able to vanish into my studio, thus into my own little world, day in and day out, is truly a tremendous gift & blessing.

Oh, and the best thing about being an artist is that I get to go to work in my pajamas, with a cup of tea in hand, followed by a host of darling faces who just happen to have whiskers.

9/2006

Lori's paintings can be seen at Waxlander Gallery, 622 Canyon Road.
Hours: 9:30-5:30 daily. (505) 984-2202 or (800) 342-2202.

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