Congratulations to artist Lora Moore, our latest ArtResin winner! A photographer based in Ontario, Canada. Her series Trash-ion turns found street trash into creative, thought-provoking images. Inspired by fashion and the environmental impact of fast fashion and consumerism, she repurposes discarded materials with humor and imagination: "I started my career as a portrait photographer, but realised that my interests, and passion were definitely in creating art, so I switched gears and started to focus on photo based art about 10 years ago."
Describe the type of art you create.
My creative journey actually started with grief. My mom died when I was young and as a family we never really dealt with it on an emotional level (it was traumatic in nature). It wasn't until my late thirties that I started to deal with what I had kept suppressed for so long. I started to create images about my emotions that were very conceptual in nature. That was the beginning of my journey. My initial work was more emotive and conceptual in nature, and now my work is much more whimsical but addresses societal values about aging, mass production and overconsumption.
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
Absolutely. It shapes how I see things. I'm always noticing small, overlooked details in everyday environments and those observations often become the starting point for my work. My work is really about paying attention to things most people walk past.
What's your art background? Are you self-taught or did you study art?
I went to school for Occupational Therapy and spent many years working in pediatrics but after my children were born I switched gears decided that there was a creative drive that I needed to explore.
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
I work in a creative field professional, and my art is something I pursue independently in my own time.
What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?
What I love about photography is its ability to elevate ordinary objects. Something that might normally be overlooked can become quite powerful when it's isolated and carefully composed. It allows me to capture everyday objects in a way that makes people look at the differently.
How did you discover resin?
I often participate in art shows/fairs and I noticed one artist who used resin exclusively. I thought that my work would look great with resin so, I asked her if I could shadow her and learn how to use resin.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
It allows me to provide alternatives to traditional frame/glass presentations of my work.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
The process is multifaceted for sure. It requires patience and a lot of trial and error. Because I work with photographs, I had to find a paper and ink combination that worked first. I also needed to experiment with how to prepare the paper before applying the resin. I found applying three coats of varnish on the photograph as well as the seams is the foundation for achieving the best result with resin on photographs. And ensuring that exposure to dust is minimal.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
For me, creating art is a way of exploring and questioning the everyday. It is a way of expressing things that are sometimes difficult to do either via voice or in written form. But my why, changes all the time. Right now, I am interested in how ordinary objects can hold meaning or tell small stories when they are isolate and looked at closely
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Most definitely. I discovered art when I was struggling emotionally and it helped me find my voice. It definitely was an outlet for me to express some of my deepest, darkest feelings in a way that felt safe.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
I hope it makes people pause and take a second look. The objects in my work are very ordinary, so if someone starts to see them a little differently, that's really meaningful to me.
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
I think success as an artist is continuing to be curious and to keep developing your work. If the work keeps evolving and connecting with people, that feels like success to me.
What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?
Patience is a virtue. It takes time to learn how to use it successfully, but once you have practiced, it really is a wonderful medium to work with. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Reach out to artists that use the medium.
Where do you sell your work?
I sell my work art art shows and fairs, as well as art galleries and on my website.
To see more of Lora's work:
Visit her website: www.mooreimages.ca
Follow her on Instagram: @loramoore_images
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have shared the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy for Resin Art.
