Lorrie Fink

Artist Statement

I use the expressiveness of natural forms to investigate color and pattern. I link the narrative of deep time—a geologic timeline of Earth’s natural history—with contemporary concerns about climate crises. Exploring the intersection of wild and cultivated landscapes, I envision a world where forests are preserved and green spaces are considered essential features of urban life.

My practice begins with a walk in the woods. I use the expressiveness of natural forms to investigate color and pattern and convey the exuberance of things that grow wildly without invitation. Located in the midst of my garden, my studio offers a front row seat to cycles of growth and decline.

In the series, "Clamor From the Forest Floor," I paint silhouetted shapes inspired by ferns that flourish in old growth forests. I combine painterly brushwork with the graphic quality of handcut stencils. Layers of marks and glazes result in unique patterns of biomorphic shapes, remnants of fossil fragments. Old growth forests are unique markers of Earth’s timeline.

The imagery in "Under the Big Top" is inspired by twining tendrils I harvested from a backyard Passiflora vine. These paintings describe the choreography and chaos of the natural world. The organic patterns reflect the tumultuous times in which we live.

Through my paintings, I focus my awareness of environmental concerns about sustainability and stewardship, while celebrating the beauty and exuberance of our natural world.