Biography
Tori Louise is an Artist residing in Santa Barbara CA. Instilled with a deep-rooted love for life and nature, Tori effortlessly weaves her connection with the natural world into her artistic expression. Enveloped in an aura of animism and joyful blasphemy, her art reflects her experiences with nature, religion, and mental health. Tori's poetry can be found in the anthologies "The Spell Jar" and "Dreams in Hiding”, and she completed an artist residency at the esteemed Chateau Orquevaux in the Winter of 2023. At the core of her artistic philosophy lies a fascination with the range of human experience, and the unique qualities of environments that spark joy and wonder. Tori's art aims to inspire a personal sensory exploration of the world, and to foster connections through an intimate reflection on the relationship between aesthetic and emotion.
Statement from the Artist
My artwork explores the interplay between multiple elements to tell stories that reflect the complexity and beauty of the human experience. Much of my work involves new processes or combining old ones, so that each of my ventures is different from the previous. I see each of these mediums as an opportunity to create something unique and unexpected that invites the viewer to consider the many ways in which we are all interconnected. At the core of my work is a belief in the universality of human experience. By combining different elements and perspectives, I hope to highlight the common threads that run through our lives, regardless of our individual backgrounds or circumstances. Through my art, I aim to inspire a sense of empathy, connection, and understanding. I hope to foster a sense of community and to encourage viewers to see the world in new and meaningful ways.
For a long time, when someone asked what kind of artist I was, there was usually a long pause followed by, “Well a little bit of everything.”. From block-printing to poetry, answering that question fully entails rattling off a laundry list of mediums. I select my areas of study with an electric combination of impulsivity and conviction. Lead by intuition rather than instruction, my creative process involves a flurry of intense exploration, trial and error (because why would you learn how to do something when you can learn how to, learn how to do something), and an eventual plateau of moderate mastery. The process then begins anew, and I’ll chase the spark of the next shiny new medium.
a systematic view of all knowledge
After my first residency, where I heard about the experiences of my fellow artists and their paths, I realized that exploration isn’t just a vital part of my process that will eventually be discarded once I finally find my true love in one medium. Exploration is my process. Having finally found a label that fully encompassed my art, I chose the title Professional Apprentice. I have studied an array of mediums: including poetry, fiction, painting, book binding, wire sculpture, block printing, embroidery, clothing and jewelry design, and performing arts. I perpetually seek out new crafts to add to my collection, allowing me to blend together multidimensional artistic elements that inspire captivating and transformative works. I invite you to join me on my journey of self exploration, and I hope to share some of my passion and childlike wonder for the world with any who will accept it.
CV
