(Blue Heron by Lori Agnew)
I am an artist living here in Central Oregon. Bend offers endless inspiration for creating nature-based artwork. A day spent swimming with my kids, a beautiful hike with my husband, three sisters in the distance. But when I am asked to talk about why I really create art, it’s about survival.
First, I should say, I think we are all born artists in one way or another. Art, color, imagery are our standard setting for communication long before we speak. I began drawing as a way to escape a difficult childhood. I was orphaned at the age of 12 and grew up in a residential school in Pennsylvania. Thinking back to that time can feel overwhelming. One escape I had from my situation was the after-school art club. I found safety in Art, I found acceptance in art, and I found joy again in creating. If you ever visit my booth at Northwest Crossing Farmers Market or Fall Festival, chances are you will see a small sign displayed in my booth that reads “Art is Medicine.” That is because I absolutely believe that art has the power to heal us, to transform our lives, and to guide us through our darkest times. Art saved my life, it has been there for me through every letdown, bad day, loss, and heartbreak. Art is a road that will lead you home to yourself every single time.
I of course, never envisioned this being my full-time career. When working with watercolor, people will often ask, “How do you control the watercolor?” But it’s not about control at all. It’s about noticing how the watercolor will interact with the paper, and letting it do its own thing. I sometimes think it’s a beautiful metaphor for life. How much control do we really have? Sure, we can make all the right moves and prepare, but life will still have a way of doing what it wants.
I attended college in my home state. My major was communication design. After graduation, I worked as a graphic designer in the fast fashion industry. Needless to say, I was longing for change. My husband Eric is the most supportive person I could ever imagine. We took a giant leap of faith and moved to Oregon. It was here that I found an amazing and supportive community of people who showed me how to do in-person art events. Art shows were instantly my vibe. I can connect with people who buy my work and build relationships with them. Again, the amazing power that is art. To bring people together, to say things we cannot convey with words alone.
What it all comes down to is that art is magic. Pure magic that we can all tap into any time we want. To take a step back and reconnect with ourselves and those around us.
The Fox you see on the cover was created with pen and watercolor, and of course, it’s all about connection. The fox in the moment of movement and the dragonfly whizzing through the air, and for a moment, a beautiful meeting.