Education:
Cornell University, B.S.
Design and Environmental Analysis and Graphic Design/Communications.
Continuing Education:
Courses at Pratt and the School of Visual Arts in NYC and at the
Philadelphia University of the Arts for advanced study in advertising,
illustration and graphic design.
Additional studies in fine arts classes, including portrait sculpture,
color study, drawing, abstract painting and collage at PAFA, Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine Arts Mainline Arts and The Wayne Arts Center.
Artist Statement
Despite the joy and excitement I feel every time I
apply paint to a canvas, the experience always has me a little on
edge, a little uncomfortable. The art unravels itself as I work,
and I am always a little unsure of the final outcome. Each of my
paintings expresses a deep part of myself that I am unable to communicate
through words. Hopefully, my paintings, will take your mind to a
stimulating place, that challenges you as well.
My work is abstract, and my graphic design background
is the catalyst, that creates the foundation for my art. My ideas
are mostly influenced by nature and my love of the outdoors. I try
to capture an unrestrained energy and playfulness through the use
of bold colors and spontaneous lines with layered paint.
I have used tree branches covered with paint to create
an organic feel to the bottom layers. I also work with a brush attached
to the end of a long stick, to generate a spontaneous feel for the
initial layers. My canvases are moved as I paint, which prevents
the artwork from looking static.
Usually, I am covered with paint when I work, which
adds an amusing and pleasurable aspect to the process. I use my
fingers, large brushes, acrylic, crayons, various acrylic media,
spackling paste, tissue paper, tape and pencils to build the canvases.
Bio
Art and design have been my lifelong passions.
Born to Holocaust survivors in 1957, I grew up in Syracuse New York,
graduated from Cornell University in 1979, and moved to Philadelphia
after living and working in New York City and Luxembourg.
Since I could hold a crayon, I was constantly drawing
and doodling on walls and under couches, where my work was not always
appreciated. At age 5, when my mother discovered my carved and painted
graffiti creatures along a 15 foot wall in our family room, she
promptly signed me up for art classes hoping to spare our furniture
and walls from further bursts of creativity.
My dad owned a baking company and as a young teenager,
I had free reign with the frosting tubes to decorate cakes. I was
inspired by the Swiss baking books that that he brought over from
Europe, were he was trained in the 1930s. Many of the cake
designs were influenced by Bauhaus, and my early exposure to this
movement introduced me to graphics.
By my 20s I took a practical approach to art
and design and studied commercial art in college. After graduating,
I worked in New York City, initially at Comart-Aniforms where I
designed multimedia shows for American Express, Revlon, Ford, and
Colgate-Palmolive. At Dolphin Productions, I created animated television
graphics for Saturday Night Live, the Dick Cavett Show, Saab and
other corporate accounts.
In 1981, I worked as a European Creative Consultant
for RTL (Radio Television Luxembourg) Productions in Luxembourg,
Paris, and Brussels. I handled concept development, design, and
execution of computer graphics for television, collateral materials, and
consumer advertising campaigns.
I returned to the U.S. in 1982, and started my own business. From
1982-2008 I was the president of LF Banks + Associates, a graphic
design/web and corporate branding company. LFB designed solutions
for leading corporations, law firms, hospitals, universities, government
agencies, non-profits, and other clients. LF Banks + Associates
received countless local, regional, national, and international
design awards. I sold the business to a Philadelphia design firm
in 2008 to pursue painting, teaching and several new business ventures.
Additional Work Experience
Drexel University, LeBow College of Business,
Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship
2009- present, Counselor/Mentor
WePac, West
Philadelphia Alliance for Children, Philadelphia, PA
2009-present, Reading Tutor and Assistant Art Instructor to 6th
graders in West Philadelphia. Also involved with branding development
for the organization.
Moore College of Art + Design/Philadelphia Center
for Art + Technology (PCAT), Philadelphia, PA
Intro to Graphic Design Instructor
Mural Arts Programs
Restorative Justice Initiative
2008-2009-Volunteer with the Mural Arts Programs Restorative
Justice Initiative for Youth at St. Gabriels Hall. This is a residential
program for teenagers who have been detained for criminal offenses.
Students receive instruction in the creation and production of murals
for their facility.
Art and Spirituality Center,
Philadelphia, PA
2009, Art Instructor, worked with poets to create journals in the
Philadelphia Schools.
Other Professional Experience
Marketing and business development consultant for a variety of
businesses
2008-present
DreamProgram.org
DREAM Philly Advisory Board member.
Focusing on and Strategizing for the growth of the Philadelphia
Dream organization.
2013-2015
Partnering with a veterinarian to develop an exclusive
line of sugar free, organic herbal biscuits for the equine market
2009-2011
Marketing and licensing a line of empowerment dolls
for young girls, with a doll designer
2009-2010
Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA, Marketing,
Programming + Planning Committe member
2009-2017
Communications Advisory Committee at Cornell University
2006
Lectured at high school Career Symposium for 10 years
and to various local organizations and professional groups about
Graphic Design and Branding
If you would like to purchase any paintings,
please email me at: Lori@LoriFBanks.com
Include the name of the artwork you are interested in and I will
get back to you right away.
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited by law. For permission,
please contact lori@lorifbanks.com
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