Lori Faye Bock

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.