December Artist of the Month – Meet Lori Mehta…
Lori became interested in art at a very young age. She recalls a memorable visit to her grandmother’s house when she and her older sister wanted to color the same page in a coloring book. Determined to color the same image as her sister, Lori drew the dog that her sister was coloring freehand on a blank sheet of paper. Lori remembers, “My grandmother took me aside, and with a very serious tone, told me I was talented. I share this because it’s easy to forget how sincere words of encouragement can stay with someone for a lifetime.”
The first in her family to attend college, Lori was encouraged by this same grandmother to apply for scholarships and pursue her passion. After earning a BFA and MFA in printmaking, she found making a living in fine art to be another challenge. In order to support herself she began a successful career as an award-winning graphic designer.
When Lori had children, she switched gears to become a stay-at-home mom while hand painting furniture as a creative outlet. With her children grown, she reignited her artistic passion in oil painting. Within a very short time, she has won over 25 awards for her paintings in local and national shows and last year was juried in as a member of the esteemed Copley Society of Art in Boston. Lori also shows her work as a Gallery Artist at Beacon Gallery also in Boston. She is grateful to encouraging mentors Catherine Kehoe and Nancy Colella.
Lori continues to challenge herself daily to improve her skills and allows her painting style to “evolve naturally.” Lori ponders, “My most successful paintings are those in which I can silence the voices in my head of ‘shoulds’ and ‘art rules’ and just paint…I’ve learned to not let fear get in the way of my dreams. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there-you never know where your work will take you.”
