Lori Schappe-Youens Art

Lori Schappe-Youens in her own words, "I am a woman, an artist who is the ‘soul resident’ of two countries, America and South Africa. One contains my roots, the fibre of what has made me who I am as a child of the Midwest. The state of Wisconsin is a menagerie of farms with bucolic rolling hills; thousands of lakes and rivers carved out from the glaciers; woodlands and quaint turn of the century towns. There are thankfully a few larger cities which have allowed for the expansion of minds with art and intellect.

My other soul home is South Africa. My feet first touched South African soil in 1991 and the feeling was palpable. I knew her face, her scent, her dust and her wisdom. I moved from Michigan where I owned a contemporary gallery in a small working class town. I needed a change and travelling through Central and Southern Africa gave me that. I toured South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zaire, Zimbabwe and ended the trip in Malawi. The six week tour shifted me in ways that confounded me. I made the decision to move continents. I broke hearts which I left behind, but knew it was the correct choice for myself.

I have walked a rocky wild path and it is on the canvas, paper or wood substrate where I unleash my tale, my understanding of who I am and who I am becoming.

I am a survivor of violence, a mother of two incredible beings, the lover of a gentleman farmer, woodworking contractor, a grateful sister and daughter. I am a solid friend. I dig a good belly laugh. I am strong yet gentle. I have a hard work ethic but understand the necessity of balancing that with a good shake of the hips down low to sexy music; alcohol fueled conversations and connecting as humans.

My work has always come from an intuitive space deep within me. I am guided and often don’t understand what I have put down until the piece is finished. I examine with curiosity the mark making embedded between the layers of paint, oil pastel, charcoal and pencil. I allow the painting to speak to me and tell me the story of who it is, a constant unfolding of who I am. It is mostly a meditative process.

I am represented by seven galleries across South Africa and America.

I feel honored to be an artist, and as exhausting or exhilarating as it may be, I know no other way to exist.”

Lori’s is also a gifted jewelry maker, under the name Love Lori, and her goods are available from LoveLori.za on Instagram or Lschappeyoungens@gmail.com