They Met In A Magical Floating Place (North Dakota)

Graphite is a versatile and widely used medium in art, primarily known for its soft, smooth texture and the ability to create fine details, shading, and gradients. It comes in the form of pencils or sticks, with varying degrees of hardness, ranging from very soft (6B, 8B) to very hard (H, 2H). The softness or hardness of the graphite determines the darkness or lightness of the marks it produces. When used in drawing, graphite allows artists to achieve a range of effects, from precise, sharp lines to soft, velvety shading. It is often favored for its ability to create tonal depth and realistic textures, making it a popular choice for portraiture, still life, and landscape drawing. Its subtlety and versatility also make it ideal for sketching and underpainting for larger works. My name is Lola, and I am a dreamer. I was born in 1975, but my age does not define me. My past has molded me into a genuine soul, I believe very strongly all things are for a reason. College was uneventful, yet taught me that I had the ability to find my own techniques and expression. My experience as a tattoo artist in the late 90's was incredible, yet only fulfilled 9 out of 10 of my necessary reasons to live as an artist. And demanded too much time out of my studio. I like to invent, imagine, and execute a place full of space where the world can evolve into a magical copacetic machine, sparing the disintegration of our earth and harm to innocent creatures and beings. If not for the ability to paint, my voice might become just another static white noise. We need harmony, lyrics, and a visual escape from reality, because reality has become somewhat of a nightmare. War, genocide, hunger, death, disaster, political disappointment. I paint to start a positive dialog amongst strangers. And I paint because it is my most precious gift in life. I sing through my brushes the way a Travis Louie’s paintings come from the tiny little drawings and many writings in his journals. He’s created his own imaginary world that is grounded in Victorian and Edwardian times. It is inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings, and otherworldly characters who appear to have had their formal portraits taken to mark their existence and place in society. The underlining thread that connects all these characters is the unusual circumstances that shape who they were and how they lived. Some of their origins are a complete mystery while others are hinted at. A man is cursed by a goat, a strange furry being is discovered sleeping in a hedge, an engine driver can’t seem to stop vibrating in his sleep, a man overcomes his phobia of spiders, etc, . . .Using inventive techniques of painting with acrylic washes and simple textures on smooth boards, he’s created portraits from an alternate universe that seemingly may or may not have existed. Hours: Wed - Sun: 11 AM - 6 PM Mon & Tues: Closed