Meet Lori Markman | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Markman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lori, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Being an artist means this question applies to me quite differently than if I had a traditional business. First, there is creating my art. I don’t generally give up and throw away an art piece that I am working on. I have a lot of interest, curiosity and engagement with the artworks that I am making. They are important to me. They have meaning and I am saying something in these pieces that I want to express. I also work slowly. If I get tired, bored, impatient or lose focus–I stop or switch my attention to a different piece. That prevents me from making a major mistake or ruining a piece. The only time I discard a work is when it is not very important to me or I am just experimenting, and if after working on it for a period of time, I just lose all interest in it. That doesn’t happen very often to me.

But, in all other aspects of my art career, I have been slowly giving up and discarding ways of being that I no longer find productive, that I do not like, or that I feel is a waste of my time without any return. For example, I used to enter my work frequently in juried group shows that require an entry fee. I have cut back significantly on that. I only enter a juried group show when I feel confident my work will be accepted and the gallery is a reputable place in a decent area and the gallery is open at least three days a week. How did I know? Work rarely sells in group shows and I realized that I got no return for the money, time and effort I put into them. Now I focus my attention on solo shows or small curated group shows, and exhibition opportunities.

Another thing I gave up was going to Opening Receptions of shows in which I did not have work and where I wasn’t particularly interested in the work shown. I knew I should do this, because I constantly felt guilty, stressed, overwhelmed and resentful of feeling like I “should” do it.

I am much happier now. Life is good.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am proud of all my recent art work. In late 2020, I spent three years making my Magical Landscape Series which were mixed media collages inspired by traditional Japanese Landscape Art. I used antique papers, tie-dye paper, text, reproductions of Japanese and Van Gogh prints, French botanical prints as well as other materials. Each piece in this series is beautiful, peaceful, meditative and healing. Then, I spent a year making mixed media collages that addressed climate change, man’s inhumanity to man, the choice we have to continue on our present path of destroying this planet and ourselfs or to change–and create a planet in which everyone is treated humanely. Finally, now I am working on my 18 mixed media collages illustrating each of the 18 Chapters of James Joyce’s Ulysses. it is a labor of love.

It has not been easy to get to where I am now. But, I have learned that you don’t give up. You just start, and take that first tiny step whether you know what you are doing or not. Just begin—that is gold.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend to the Los County Art Museum that has just opened new and spectacular buildings. I would take them to any of the Southern California Beaches, to the Observatory, and to the Colburn School of Performing Arts which has great low cost concerts showcasing their extremely talented students. I would take them to Sam’s First Jazz club by LAX. I would also spend time shopping in the stores on Abbott Kinney in Venice. For meals–definitely The Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon, Mirabella in Sherman Oaks, The Little Beast in Eagle Rock and get a artesian ice cream at Salt and Straw.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All my friends, my boyfriend, my sister have been so helpful in providing a sounding board for me, when I felt I needed help. The Book that really helped me drop unhelpful thought patterns, reduced my creative fear and provided an never ending wealth of Inspiration was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. In addition, I have been “producing” videos of my on-going series of mixed media collages illustrating the 18 Chapters of James Joyce’s Ulysses, and I am indebted to the two people who really did the work: Cecile Delepiere of Dollkiller Films for creating the videos, and John Pirkis for providing the wonderful voice-overs ( in a fabulous Irish accent) of sections from each Chapter. Thank You!

Website: Https://www.markmanart.com

Instagram: @lori.markman.fine.art

Youtube: Lori Markman @markmanart