EHAAG Full Moon Spotlight  

 The Art of Lori Rudolph (eBay ID: *retro-rudolphs*)

 With a degree in graphic design, Lori was already a successful working artist when her destiny was revealed unexpectedly in an arts and crafts supply store.

Reminiscent of earlier days, Lori picked up a package of papier-mâché mix. She felt a yearning to do something “completely new” with a familiar medium. Her first sculptures were immediately shown to folk artist, Stacy French; the creative force behind “American Whimsies.”
 

Lori explains, “If I were to look back at why I became so obsessed with papier-mâché, I would have to say Stacy was the strongest influence. She's been a mentor, sounding board, and a very generous/dear friend to me. After seeing what she could do with clay I knew I had to keep at it.”

Since that time, Lori's been sculpting every chance she gets, trying out various clays, and new techniques. “I have no formal training in regards to sculpting, and if you'd asked me three years ago to sculpt something, I would have laughed” she says. In that time Lori has paid her “dues” and emerged as a talented sculptor with the ability to fully capture nuances of facial expressions and a stylized period look. “I do make many small sketches and notes when the ideas start to flow, but it's funny how when one sits down to sculpt the characters, they start to take on their own personalities while I am working the clay.”

Adding to her evolving style, this year Lori integrated her love for computer graphics into her folk art pieces. “I started to lose touch with another one of my passions. So, I bought myself a new graphics program and went to town with it. It's a wonderful way for me to spend down time. While pieces are drying I have something else to keep me busy.”

Lori loves to inject a bit of humor into some of her pieces, last year's “Sheesh” is a perfect example. He's a whimsical pumpkin man with a broken jack-o-lantern bucket. His expression said it all! “If they don't make you smile or laugh, then I haven't done my job”, she says.

Her artistic influences stem from a love for vintage holiday folk art. “There's something about the time worn patina of some pieces that just draws you in.” That's not to say she doesn't care for modern holiday folk art. “Yes, I buy what I like and make what I desire, but can't find.”

Though relatively new to the papier-mâché medium, it's become a true passion for Lori. “A day doesn't go by when I don't think about it. It's a thrill knowing that there are pieces of my art in homes all over the world!”

What's next? She's not telling, but she hopes you'll come along for the ride!

 

By, William Bezek

 

Edited by, Christopher Klingler

 

Lori’s Website: www.freewebs.com/retro-rudolphs/