The passionate pursuit of capturing the ephemeral beauty of the natural world has long been a driving force for many artists. With a deep reverence for the ever-changing play of light, color, and atmosphere, these visionary painters seek to distill the very essence of a place onto the canvas. Leading this charge is the captivating work of pastel master Loriann Signori, whose luminous landscapes beckon us to pause and immerse ourselves in the splendor of the everyday.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Loriann’s creative process is one of constant discovery, where each painting becomes an act of transformation and reinvention. “I paint in order to quiet myself into the ‘not-knowing’ and hopefully discover something I didn’t know,” she explains. This openness to the unknown is central to her approach, as she embraces the inherent risk and unpredictability of the medium. “Risk-taking is my topic. That is, risk-taking for an artist. If you think about it, each day we enter the studio we take a risk.”
Painting Approaches
Plein Air Painting
Loriann’s journey as a pastel artist began with a formative encounter in her youth, when she discovered the work of pioneering Impressionist painters who had revolutionized the art of painting en plein air—directly from nature. “The longer I paint, the more I don’t want to know ‘how’ to do something or have a technique upon which I rely to create my work,” she reflects. “Predictability is a killer of excitement.”
This spirit of exploration and spontaneity is evident in Loriann’s practice of painting outdoors, where she immerses herself in the ever-changing dance of light and shadow. “Each day is a new adventure into wonder and what I consider serious play,” she explains. “It is the forward movement into not knowing that is my risk.”
Landscape Painting
While Loriann’s subject matter may not be considered avant-garde, her approach to landscape painting is anything but ordinary. Rather than relying on a formulaic rendering of form and detail, she embraces an improvisational style that allows the essence of a scene to emerge organically.
“To me, the pleasure is in the risk-taking. It does not mean that I am seeking novelty in my subject or methods…. No, no, no. A successful day at the easel is one that I astonish myself,” Loriann says. “It’s a gamble each day to approach the old with new eyes.”
Pastel Painting Techniques
Loriann’s mastery of the pastel medium is nothing short of breathtaking. Her luminous landscapes are a testament to her command of the medium’s unique qualities, where layers of vibrant pigment are applied with a deft and expressive touch.
“The longer I paint, the more I don’t want to know ‘how’ to do something or have a technique upon which I rely to create my work,” she explains. “Predictability is a killer of excitement.” This openness to experimentation allows Loriann to continually evolve her approach, seamlessly blending traditional methods with bold, innovative techniques.
Capturing the Essence of Place
Environmental Awareness
At the heart of Loriann’s practice is a deep reverence for the natural world and a profound sensitivity to the rhythms and subtleties of the environment. “I attempt to stimulate a dialogue with nature and beauty,” she shares. “Recently I have moved forward, or maybe it’s side-wards. The hydrangeas on my kitchen table whispered to me. They had an ethereal beauty, a song.”
This attunement to the subtle nuances of her subject matter is a hallmark of Loriann’s work, as she seeks to capture the essence of a place rather than merely its physical appearance. “By reducing description and exploring the painting’s inner space, I can find the feeling of endless possibility and possibly, the infinite.”
Sensory Exploration
Loriann’s approach to painting is not just a visual exercise; it is a multisensory experience that engages all of the senses. “I feel that as artists we need to be comfortable with the state of constant change,” she explains. “The pleasure is in the risk-taking.”
This openness to the unexpected allows Loriann to tap into the emotional resonance of her subject matter, infusing her paintings with a palpable sense of atmosphere and mood. “My heart has a strong longing to be surprised,” she confesses. “I want to quiet myself into the ‘not-knowing’ and hopefully discover something I didn’t know.”
Visual Interpretation
Loriann’s pastel paintings are not mere representations of the natural world; they are visual interpretations that distill the essence of a place. Through her masterful use of color, texture, and light, she transports the viewer into a realm of heightened perception, where the familiar is transformed into the extraordinary.
“Predictability is a killer of excitement,” Loriann asserts. “Instead, change has been my lesson. A disequilibrium is what can make surprises happen.” This spirit of adventure and exploration is evident in every brushstroke, as she navigates the uncharted territory of her own creative process.
Luminous Landscape Studies
Color Theory and Palette
Loriann’s vibrant pastel landscapes are a testament to her deep understanding of color theory and its capacity to evoke emotion and atmosphere. “Loriann Signori uses the luscious vibrant colour of soft pastels to their full effect, creating luminous spaces that elicit feelings of deep pleasure,” writes Gail Sibley, a fellow pastel artist and admirer of Loriann’s work.
Embracing a rich, harmonious palette, Loriann masterfully blends and layers her pastel strokes to capture the interplay of light and shadow. “When I look at Loriann’s paintings, I think, ‘This is why we love soft pastels,'” Sibley observes.
Lighting and Atmospherics
The ephemeral and ever-changing nature of light is a constant source of fascination for Loriann, as she seeks to distill its essence onto the canvas. “Through my paintings, I attempt to stimulate a dialogue with nature and beauty,” she explains. “Recently I have moved forward, or maybe it’s side-wards. The hydrangeas on my kitchen table whispered to me. They had an ethereal beauty, a song.”
This sensitivity to the nuances of light and atmosphere is evident in Loriann’s paintings, where the viewer is immersed in a world of shimmering luminosity and atmospheric depth. “By reducing description and exploring the painting’s inner space, I can find the feeling of endless possibility and possibly, the infinite,” she says.
Textural Representation
Loriann’s pastel paintings are not just about color and light; they are also a textural exploration of the medium itself. Through her layered, expressive brushwork, she imbues her landscapes with a sense of tactile immediacy, inviting the viewer to engage with the work on a sensory level.
“The longer I paint, the more I don’t want to know ‘how’ to do something or have a technique upon which I rely to create my work,” Loriann explains. “Predictability is a killer of excitement.” This openness to experimentation allows her to constantly expand the visual and tactile vocabulary of her pastel paintings, infusing them with a dynamic and captivating energy.
Modern Painting Techniques
Expressive Brushwork
Loriann’s pastel paintings are characterized by a bold, gestural brushwork that captures the energy and spontaneity of the moment. “I paint in order to quiet myself into the ‘not-knowing’ and hopefully discover something I didn’t know,” she explains, underscoring the improvisational nature of her creative process.
This expressive approach to mark-making is a hallmark of Loriann’s style, as she deftly navigates the interplay of pure pigment and paper to create landscapes that vibrate with life and movement. “It is the forward movement into not knowing that is my risk,” she asserts.
Vibrant Color Usage
Loriann’s mastery of color is perhaps the most defining feature of her pastel paintings. Embracing a rich, harmonious palette, she blends and layers her pastel strokes with a virtuosic command of the medium, creating landscapes that shimmer with an almost otherworldly luminosity.
“When I look at Loriann’s paintings, I think, ‘This is why we love soft pastels,'” writes Gail Sibley, a fellow pastel artist. “Loriann Signori uses the luscious vibrant colour of soft pastels to their full effect, creating luminous spaces that elicit feelings of deep pleasure.”
This vibrant, expressive use of color is central to Loriann’s artistic vision, as she seeks to capture the essence of a place through the transformative power of pigment. “Through my paintings, I attempt to stimulate a dialogue with nature and beauty,” she explains.
Artistic Design Principles
Compositional Structures
Loriann’s pastel paintings are not merely exercises in color and texture; they are thoughtfully composed works that guide the viewer’s eye through the scene. “I attempt to stimulate a dialogue with nature and beauty,” she explains, underscoring the importance of design in her creative process.
Whether through the use of bold, gestural brushstrokes or the careful placement of elements within the frame, Loriann’s compositions possess a sense of balance and rhythm that heighten the emotional impact of her work. “By reducing description and exploring the painting’s inner space, I can find the feeling of endless possibility and possibly, the infinite,” she shares.
Creative Inspiration
At the heart of Loriann’s artistic practice is a deep reverence for the natural world and a profound sensitivity to the rhythms and subtleties of the environment. “Recently I have moved forward, or maybe it’s side-wards. The hydrangeas on my kitchen table whispered to me. They had an ethereal beauty, a song,” she reflects.
This openness to the unexpected and the willingness to be surprised by her own creative process are essential to Loriann’s approach. “My heart has a strong longing to be surprised,” she confesses. “I want to quiet myself into the ‘not-knowing’ and hopefully discover something I didn’t know.”
In her luminous pastel landscapes, Loriann invites the viewer to join her on a journey of exploration and discovery, where the familiar is transfigured into the extraordinary. Through her masterful use of color, texture, and light, she distills the essence of a place, revealing the hidden poetry of the natural world. “Predictability is a killer of excitement,” Loriann asserts. “Instead, change has been my lesson. A disequilibrium is what can make surprises happen.”
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique