I had the good fortune of connecting with Shoutout LA and I’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lórien, what’s your definition for success?
I define success as feeling satisfied in the present moment. When I am creating one of my works of art, success for me is completing a painting or hand-dyed textile (or whatever the object is). The creative process in and of itself is also very satisfying—as a practice of being fully present to what inspiration is coming through and manifesting that feeling in the physical. That is success to me. Completing a single artwork, a series, seeing an idea through to manifestation, teaching a live art class: there is a lot of power in the act of completion, this is another form of success. Another layer of success is in the impact that my artwork has on others in creating what I understand as a “transition in consciousness.” That is where the magic and healing happens; my artwork carries that intention and when it is delivered to a client, and the feedback is shared with me about the positive and transformational impact my artwork has made, this too is success. Overall, my definition of “success” has evolved over the course of my life and will continue to evolve.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an artist and art teacher who is passionate about helping people of all ages to find the space to nourish their Divine inner artist, so folks can feel confident creating beautiful art while cultivating deep self-love, healing, empowerment and an “I can do this” attitude in life! I do this through creating and sharing my original mixed-media art and through teaching art to the next generation and to adults. In my studio, I produce a rich and evolving collection of mixed-media paintings on a variety of surfaces. For example, French cotton paper or gallery-wrap canvas. I incorporate pigments, inks, crystals, minerals and a selection of magical elements. My magical elements include Reiki blessings, crystal and solar/lunar energy-infused water and my pure intention to beautify and uplift our world. I take great pleasure in creativity of all kinds! I am an enthusiastic, fun-loving, creative innovator, who has a passion for beauty, nature, humor, curiosity, and an insatiable love for art and self-expression!
What inspires me is the natural world on Earth, the cosmos, love, natural beauty, color, family, good friends, the ocean, kindness, puppies, and all that is good in our world. Truly there are infinite possibilities of inspiration ~ my motivation to stay inspired moves me to seek, find and express the spirit of beauty and truth. What inspires me and excites me is learning and creating. I believe that staying curious, being open to learn and for me, teaching art is an integral part of that. My creative process in creating and delivering an art class, usually includes me “being the student” first, learning by doing, then sharing through teaching and learning again. It’s fantastic! The process is very circular, rewarding and very nourishing for all, it is therapeutic and transformational. My original mixed-media art is what I would define as Transformative Art. It is art that reaches into the soul and acts as a mirror revealing the deep and rich inner beauty of the Self, as well as the shadow self. It has the power to shift consciousness and not only raise the vibration of an individual, but shift the collective consciousness.
In my experience, art serves as a visual and visceral response to the questions that one asks or that the collective is asking. For example, questions about the nature of reality, what it means to be a Spiritual being having a human experience, or about what is possible in the human experience. If an individual feels the call to create and share their art with the world, the significance of doing Transformative art now is ad infinitum. Art is a bridge between the mundane and the Sacred and has the capacity to bridge the gap of disparity between suffering and pure bliss. Artistic expression gives meaning and healing to the human condition. Art is the glue of the Universe and provides a safe space for the Soul to rest and take refuge. More than ever, art and artists serve as the foundation for the evolution of human consciousness. I invite you to experience your own “transition in consciousness” through connecting with my artwork and art education offerings.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I invite you to embark on an adventure that focuses on wild nature and healthy and yummy cuisine. What I enjoy about the Palos Verdes Peninsula is the immense amount of preserved and conserved land to wander around in and through. And, the special bonus is the climate, which I would define as a microclimate. It is usually cooler and fresher along the coast and that is true here. I always like to take my friends to the sacred places that I hike in and around, with their relative quiet and ocean view. I enjoy many of the trails that are a part of the Rancho Palos Verdes Preserve as well as the Portuguese Bend Preserve. Walking the trails around Abalone Cove and the Pointe Vicente Lighthouse are also very special as we often spot wild dolphin pods, sea lions, pelican and whales during their annual migration.
For our dining pleasure, one of my favorite restaurants in the area is Baramee Thai Restaurant located in San Pedro. The other key dining establishment is what we call, “the best restaurant in town” and that is our own creative kitchen. For as long as I can remember, home cooking from scratch using fresh, local and organic ingredients is second to none. My parents taught me this through their example and it stuck. I have been preparing homemade gourmet, vegetarian meals for years. Other than the fact that I enjoy creative cooking and meal prep, I also have a stronger connection to the source and vibrations of the food. Many meals are cooked gluten-free and plant-based using the finest ingredients and I love sharing my “creative kitchen” creations—which is similar to creating art for me. So, our meals would be carefully planned, created and enjoyed together. Lately, I have been diving more into Japanese veggie sushi and miso soups and seaweeds.
Another place I enjoy going for a glass of wine at sunset is the Terranea Resort. The fire pit area is especially nice to sit around, under the stars and by the sea sipping a delish glass of wine. There are also some nice public walking trails around the resort and all are bordered by the vast Pacific ocean coastline, providing the added benefit of cleansing negative ions and positive mood enhancers. Overall, keeping it all close to home and focus on the incredible outdoor hiking, vistas, perhaps a picnic or two in one of my favorite nature spots or even the taking a dip in the ocean in Redondo Beach are among my favorite spots.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Any level of success and achievement in my art career (which includes teaching art to the next generation) that I have experienced must be dedicated to many, many folks. First, paying tribute to my parents who have always given my full permission to be myself. They made choices that were very pioneering and radical for the times—in terms of a healthy, natural lifestyle focused on vegetarianism and a whole-food diet. This was before Whole Foods and vegetarianism were trending; we were simply being close to Mother Earth. It was challenging for me throughout my K-12 public schooling experience, when I did not “fit in” during the daily routines of lunchtime at school and all of the extra-curricular activities where food was involved (and there are many, like birthday parties). This early childhood foundation, grounded in an unconventional vegetarian lifestyle, contains values in it that have informed my entire life.
There are many intangible elements that have helped to shape my character, my choices, my resolve, resiliency and my well-being that can be traced back to how I was raised. Second, I must give a shout out to the educators and mentors who showed me the way on my unique journey, and there are many both the in the formal education setting and those “fairy godmothers and godfathers” who have guided me. I have had immense support (like all of us do) throughout my art and art education career. To name a few: Dr. Shuman, Relani Prud’homme, Sobonfu Somé, Sandra Ingerman, Joy Parker, Frank Cummings, Sandra Hildreth, Layne Redmond, and Martha Beck.
A big thank you and really, there is no amount of words to sufficiently appreciate my partner and my soul family/friends (you know who you are). My life has certainly been rich so far and overflowing with support, love and encouragement. Thank you for reading, and many bright blessings of health, prosperity, peace and joy.
To read this article on the Shoutout LA website, click here.
I invite you to explore my website, especially take a look at Art with Lórien, my online learning platform and community!
Thank you for reading and I invite you to share your contributions via comments and would love to hear from you on my Facebook page, check out my Art with Lórien art classes on YouTube, get to my website, or email me at artwork@lorieneck.com.
May your days be filled with a sense of wonder, love, creativity, adventure and play!
In love, gratitude and beauty…
Did you know that fashion uses more water than any industry other than agriculture. At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles. Americans throw away 68 pounds of clothes on average each year, and we only buy 10 pounds of recycled clothes annually. Clothing that ends up in landfills takes a very long time to decompose — about 6 months for a cotton sock, one year for a wool cap, 40-50 years for a leather belt and 50-80 years for a rubber boot. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 11.8 million tons of cloth, textiles and shoes are discarded in the United States each year, ending up in landfills or being incinerated. It’s a very serious issue. And so, I found that like anything in life having to do with change and transformation, awareness is the first step. After the awakening process, then actions can take place and conscious choices can be made. For me, it’s been practical to learn about what I already have, continue to wear it guilt free, but also to stop giving my money or buying into what I no longer value. How we spend our money/resources is a tremendous power we have. It’s a start and the journey is a lifelong one. On Thursday, April 24, there is a global movement happening in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh with the collapse of the building, and the ever-growing death toll, many articles appeared urging consumers to support ethical fashion as a way to improve working conditions throughout the supply chain. And, on 24th of April each year, Fashion Revolution Day will bring everyone in the fashion value chain together and help to raise awareness of the true cost of fashion, show the world that change is possible, and celebrate all those involved in creating a more sustainable future. What can we do?
An Invitation to Inspiration 