Lora Cazwell is an abstract acrylic artist based in the Algoma region of Northern Ontario, Canada. Lora graduated with a BA in Fine Arts with honours from the University of Algoma and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Nippissing.
Lora is a dedicated mother, teacher and artist. Lora has been an Elementary Art teacher for over 10 years, but loves to create as much as possible. Known for her robust creativity, she has expanded her landscape of expression to lesson plans, interior spaces as well as various visual art pieces.
After the traumatic birth of her son, Lora suffered PTSD, shifting the priority and necessity for recovery and mental health support. This compelled her back into creative spaces and produced therapeutic abstract artworks.
Lora’s work captures the mental conflict between compulsive control and uninhibited chaos. Her work balances the boundaries between letting the paint go as it pleases and restraining it to certain areas, colours and textures. The juxtaposition creates a visual dynamic of the mind.
Lora implores techniques created layer upon layer of pooled vibrant colour, that requires many hours of patience, and dedication. In the end, the energy of her work shows a balance between beautiful chaos and thoughtful restraint.
Thus far, her inspiration has been based on her experiences, her faith and the beautiful surroundings of Northern, Ontario, Canada.
When she is not teaching, painting or being a mom, Lora enjoys everything the North has to offer. She is usually outside skiing in the winter, or swimming in the summer along beautiful Lake Superior. Lora is also an avid collector of mid century modern everything and she is often known to drive to various locations to score a great Mid Mod item.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My work is a diary, a sacred vault into my inner world. What cannot be said is spoken through canvas conversations; ink and paint telling my stories. The disconnect between release and verbal expression is resolved with a brush; the paint explains my soul. My work can cause some feelings of anxiety but once immersed in the work, the beauty and calmness of all of the layers envelops the viewer.
Painting unlocks new discoveries each time I put ink to brush; often it brings meaningful and authentic expression, and other times it releases suppressed sadness unleashing the chaos of complex emotions.
We are all created for a purpose; I was uniquely designed to bring about beauty. Beauty transfixes us, it unifies us, and it is a beacon in the darkness. What paint does for me, I can do for others, make beautiful chaos a thing to behold.
