Lore Spivey
Lore has been a member of The Bookies since 2019.
Where do you find inspiration?
My interest in art began at a young age drawing plants and animals from my grandmother’s garden. I also lived in Japan for a while, and the ornate, serene gardens of that country in contrast to vast tent cities of homeless also had an influence on my work. Nature continues to be a major theme for me, along with current events.
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
My hometown is Gastonia, North Carolina. The city has grown tremendously since I was a girl, and it has lots of history. One specific example is the Loray Mill Strike which occurred in 1929. The work I produced in remembrance of this event is titled simply, Loray Mill.
I like to compare and contrasts beauty in the world, counterpoint to violence and divisiveness. The line which separates virtuous from nefarious is highlighted, like how absolute beauty results from disaster. or the pursuit of beauty leading to utter destruction. For example, lush regrowth after a devastating forest fire.
What is your favorite time of day to create?
Early morning I am at my personal best (after a coffee).
Which art trends inspire your current work?
My work is a combination of abstract and natural, skirting the fringe of dadaism. I try to capture the viewer’s imagination and lead them to discover personal similarities. I employ universality, to give the viewer hope in knowing they are not alone in life’s journey.
Describe your ideal working environment.
A large bare space, very quiet, no interruptions.
What’s your favorite work of art?
That is a tough question because I have so many. A few of my favorites would be The Madonna della Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica , The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli in the Uffizi Gallery , Kehinde Wiley’s Judith and Holofernes, 2012, in the North Carolina Museum of Art, and several of The Peanuts paintings by Tom Everhart based on the work of Charles Schulz.