Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorena Malm.
Hi Lorena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The earliest memory I have comes from when I was 3 years old. I was placed in the isolation ward of our local hospital with a case of pneumonia. I remember the daily injections, the dark nights, and being allowed to use crayons on the pillowcase of my bed. This was something not allowed at home. My parents stood looking in at me from behind the large glass window separating us as I colored away. They were not happy, and they were scolding me to “stop that”…well, I knew they could not get at me, so I continued to color away as if I didn’t hear them.
Poverty was obvious in our home with a family of 8, but there was an abundance of love to go around. My Mom was a domestic goddess and taught me to cook, bake, sew, embroider, and how to be loving, kind, considerate, and respectful. She told me once when I was in 5th grade…”A time for everything, everything in its time…there is a reason why things happen in the order in which they take place”. I will never forget this, and I carry it with me every day.
As I reflect back to my childhood in search to the answer for what was I like as a child. My best recollection is that I was easily intimidated, introverted, and never felt quite good enough. Being bullied and harassed in school did not help my lack of self-esteem. Silly reasons for the behavior I received…my hair was too frizzy, I was too skinny, I was too ugly, coke bottle glasses were a great tease-provoking item, I was also ridiculed for wearing hand-me-down clothes, and homemade dresses. What I felt about wearing clothes my mom sewed for me was that I knew she made them with love. She would always pick colors that were our favorites, and prints, and patterns that we liked.
I learned from childhood how to make do with what little was available, and to never stop trying to do my very best in all things, and to always look my best, no matter what finances were.
Being born into poverty had its advantage in that I learned how to appreciate the smallest of things in life, and never want more than what would be comfortable. I could see early in life there were others in this world that had much less than my family had.
For my 9th birthday, my parents bought me an oil paint by number. It was then that I learned of my passion for Art. I also learned patience and frustration trying to stay within the lines. By the time I finished painting it, I knew…I was not meant to stay in the lines, and that I would create my own lines, someday!
For ten years, my dad was my biggest supporter. When he passed in 1979…I felt lost. No longer holding the passion…I boxed up my Art.
In 2005…
I was introduced to Photoshop, teaching myself to use the software, I began to create digitally. My passion had returned, that is until the computer crashed in 2010.
In 2012…
I was gifted oil paints, tools, brushes, an easel, and a huge roll of canvas. I taught myself to use these gifts, one mistake at a time.
And, in 2014…
I purchased an iPad Mini.
I discovered an Art App and began creating digitally again. Exporting from the iPad to the computer, using GIMP, to complete the images. I do not use a stylus to create…only my index finger, maintaining a look unlike others.
For a period of near 5 years, I had been reclusive. My emergence came about in November of 2018 after my digital art was seen by an individual insisting, I get it out into the world for others to see and enjoy. He pushed me out into the world with the introduction to a person connected to the Art world, and from there I have grown to be recognized for my Art.
It is my desire to bring beauty to the world through Art. The images I create come from life experiences, memories, emotions, and sometimes from my dreams. I embed my emotions into the Art, with intention to present connection to the viewer, that they too will feel emotion and connected to an otherwise Abstract tangible.
To represent myself honestly, through my Art, I must maintain my integrity by allowing my Creative Spirit to remain in the lead. She has not failed in presenting my emotions, my core principles, and producing meaningful work expressing importance of concerning issues, whether it is environmental or involving relationships, or life experiences by sounding out relatable connections to the viewers.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Life has thrown me curve balls for the most part, but I have always landed on my feet by seeing the beauty in the hardships and lessons learned.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I learned as a child I would never stay inside the lines, not in art and certainly not in life. As an Abstract Digital and Oil Paint Artist, this allows me to create my own lines. I am best known for the Digital Art I create as it stands apart from most images created digitally. I believe it is because I chose not to use a Stylus to create digitally, but to use only my index finger on the iPad. The lines are softer, shapes are freer, and messages can be seen as the emotion from the energy of movement and flow makes connection to the viewer in a relatable manner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lmalm-arts.square.site
