Meet The Artist: Lori Ackley

Lori was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She fell in love with art as a child, drawing and doodling on any surface possible including the walls of her childhood home. The bright, playful colors and patterns of the kaleidoscope always brought a sense of wonder and awe for her. This wonder started showing up in her paintings early on and continues to this day as she shares her love of bright colors and bold brush strokes. Besides kaleidoscopes, her influences have been the works of Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Like their unique styles, Lori has found her own. An artist friend of hers called her style fantastical, which she has thoroughly embraced, since her work doesn’t fit into any one specific art style.

Painting became her muse in 1989 while taking classes at Columbus College of Art and Design. Her painting time is some of her worship time connecting with God using the gifts that He has given to her. Colors that she uses are bold and bright, intending to bring joyful and happy energy along with being a magnet for the eye. Adding both concepts of eye magnetism and joyfulness is the essence of what Lori brings to her pieces. Each has their own energy that draws in and connects the person that is meant to have it along with reminding people that we are all created unique and beautiful in our own ways!

Currently she lives and works in her home studio, on her farm outside of West Liberty, Ohio. Lori and her husband reside there with their 2 adult children, several horses and a large, sweet red and white malamute named Scout. As with everyone’s life, Lori’s has taken many twists and turns. She has dealt with many things from healing from abuse to working through the roller coaster when her husband became a paraplegic while she was pregnant with their second child in 2004. Life’s challenges have led Lori to have a passionate desire to bring beauty, hope, love and healing to others, as her artwork did for her during these and other challenging times in her life. Her work shows this beauty through the bright bold colors, defined brush strokes, energy and subject matter. Due to her strong desire wanting to help others heal, she and her daughter Marie are working on becoming Certified Equine Gestalt Coaches. She believes so completely in the Equine Gestalt Coaching that all proceeds from the sale of her artwork are going directly to support Hopes Blessings to get it up and running. Hopes Blessings will be dedicated to working with paraplegics and their families, teens & others that are desiring to create their own positive authentic future.

Extras about the Paintings

Every painting comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist proving that it is hers and not a replica. Also, all acrylic paintings are protected with multiple layers of isolation coats and varnish to protect them from UV rays, keep their color intensity, protect them from dust, and keep them from yellowing. This will help the paintings to stay museum quality for years to come. The added protection to the paintings also makes them easy to clean with a slightly damp cloth or microfiber towel.