LORIE A. SCHACKMANN received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota—Morris in 1981, and her B.F.A. from St. Cloud (Minnesota) State University in 1984. She has exhibited extensively, both locally and nationally, and her work is represented in many corporate and private collections.
SCHACKMANN draws inspiration from religion, mythology, history, and the verdant landscape surrounding her studio-home. For the past 20 years, these influences have led the artist to a monumental and poetic vision of the human body, always gently imperfect, always uniquely grounded. She remains captivated by how distilled shapes and simple lines can be charged with meaning. Being an artist in the 20th century, she inherited the freedoms of expression carved out by such figurative masters as Giacometti, Picasso, and Henry Moore. These artists liberated figurative work to encompass personal vision, abstraction and emotion.
Her paintings and drawings reflect her immersion in contemporary folk art, art history, and travel ( currently in Latin America). Latin American folk art is steeped in history providing inspirational and colorful sources of artistic pursuit. Her early studies in Mexico introduced her to the intricate storytelling murals of Diego Rivera. Her figurative work reflects Rivera’s robust style, balanced with the sensuality of Paul Gauguin.
Her captivation with the reductive process has given SCHACKMANN a newly found and profound respect for the power inherent in the human figure, and its shameless pride in existence. She paints her figures from the inside out, finding their exotic, sensual and powerful essence. SCHACKMANN'S figures are charged as an image. She attempts to push beyond their sexual overtones, not with apologies, but with a new definition. In the minimal, SCHACKMANN finds the monumental. Her figures take possession of their surroundings, defining their environment, bursting out on all sides, and filling the canvas.
An interest in early botanical drawings combines with these influences in vibrant flower portraits, iconic in stature. Many motifs move throughout her work, always in a signature of rich colors and layered content.
