Brighton-Area Artist Spotlight: Lori Taylor

Lori Taylor and her work have always been inspired by nature. The influence began when Taylor was a curious and adventurous child growing up on 5 acres of ponds and pines in Clarkston, and her enthusiasm has never faltered.

“Nature and art are embedded in my life from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed,” Taylor said. “I'm doing now what I did when I was 8 years old.”

Taylor, who referred to herself as “a 24-hour artist,” is continually receptive to the beauty that surrounds her. And her mixed media pieces aren't simple reflections of the natural world; they are, at least in part, the natural world.

Among more conventional materials, Taylor's work is composed of animal hair, reeds, and recycled roadkill—objects she finds while walking in the woods or driving to the store. One of her pieces includes the teeth of a coyote she found, skinned out, and preserved. Another features porcupine tracks Taylor created by first casting a porcupine's paw.

Unsatisfied with the conventional use of conventional materials, Taylor often begins work by ripping, burning, weaving, and otherwise treating her watercolors and ink or pencil drawings. She slowly layers the bits and pieces with other found objects to add texture and, ultimately, to tell a story. To achieve the desired effect in a painting of the North Wind, Taylor painted outside in sub-zero temperatures.

Taylor, a self-taught artist, is also an author, illustrator, and graphic artist. She often works on 10 or more works at a time, and typically spends anywhere from 2 weeks to a year on each piece.

“My brain never shuts off,” Taylor said.

Unbridled creativity runs in Taylor's family and circle of friends. Both her children are artists, and her granddaughter—an artistic storyteller—is already following in her footsteps, Taylor said.

Taylor lives with two fellow Brighton Art Guild artists—woodworker Lisa Ramlow and photographer Marie Rust. Their efforts compose Bear Tracks Studios, a business in which the 3 women work together to inspire and create original works of art based in nature.

To see more of her work, visit Lori Taylor's website or the website of Bear Tracks Studios.