Lori Bywater Lautze

Artist Statement

I am a self taught artist. The drive to create runs deep in my blood. I come from a family of resourceful crafters and scavengers. A large part of my upbringing was making things. Often the materials we used were recycled discards and found objects.
After decades of venturing down many artistic paths, a Robert Rauschenberg exhibit offered me a new direction and inspiration. It led me to discover my love of assemblage.
It has been exciting to develop a new language for my artistic expression through this medium. Initially I integrated a clock into the artwork. As the work has evolved, I've done away with the time pieces but have continued to use the kinetic aspect of the second hand. Occasionally a piece feels complete without it.
Most of my work begins with a background of alcohol ink on galvanized steel. Whether the the piece is figurative or abstract, each has its own theme and story to tell. I rarely begin with a design or concept in mind. More often than not the themes and compositions develop as I work. It's a time consuming and multi layered process to bring a piece to completion. Having been a life long scavenger, I have a vast collection of found objects. I scavenge from both public places and time in nature. Every day is a treasure hunt.