Rising Stars: Meet Lori Taylor of Bitely

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Taylor.  

Hi Lori, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up in Clarkston on five acres of pines and ponds and that was my playground and sanctuary as a child. Living in Bitely is similar to that, except we have bears and porcupines here! I loved exploring and chasing snakes, stories, and drawing. I waffled between art and science when it came to continuing education. But was inspire by a high school graduation gift of a Gwen Frostic book, I knew I wanted to make books, to write and illustrate. At that time, science and art was not offered as a college curriculum near me, so I worked. After a short career in the medical laboratory field and getting married, I began my art career. It needed a lot of practice and patience as kids came along. I presented school and library programs in watercolor and sketching; I worked as a seasonal naturalist for Oakland County Parks and designed and created educational exhibits in nature centers in Michigan. As the kids became adults, I was selected as a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore artist-in-residence in 2007 and then as an A.I.R. for the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in 2008 with my mixed media collage art. After that, writing and illustrating my kidlit Michigan nature adventure series began in all seriousness. The Holly Wild series has been a popular book at the state and national parks in Michigan and is a growing series. It keeps me in the woods and waters, exploring and discovering. I began making full-color picture books and illustrating for other Michigan authors. I usually work on four to five books at once and, more recently fabric mixed media Artist Books. Just as when I was a child, adventure is outside my front and back door. I continue to sketch and record my wild finds for new books and ideas. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a bumpy road along the way from being self-taught to creating art in tiny spaces with children. Babies throwing food and dodging the toss aimed at paintings. Giant art panels for the family to live around for weeks. School summer vacation was fun, but I looked forward to it starting again to get more artwork done. Every step was leading me out the door to chase nature and tell its tale. I still feel like there is not enough time in the day. I want to design board games and write more books. It keeps me going and curious, and learning. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write and illustrate children’s nature books. I blend science, history, flora, and fauna with humorous story to get kids excited to explore the outdoors. I work in mixed media, even when designing and illustrating my kids’ books. Making my own papers, eco-printing papers for collage, and ever collecting natural materials to use or scan for art or books. I was an artist for the state and national parks in Michigan. They have my work on display in Calumet and Empire. I play in the woods! I fish, I hunt, I track animals, I am into bushcrafting and shelter building. So, I get to know nature up close and personal. I have done taxidermy and preserved hides. I feel it’s good to know these things. I visit with school kids in person or on Zoom and tell them about my books and nature. They get very excited and tell me their stories, and I get excited with them. I have done videos for schools on YT on nature and art. Both are good for kids and adults to keep us kinder and grounded. I put myself in my books and my experiences through the eyes and freckles of a red-headed 10-year-old, and sometimes I feel about that way when it comes to a great nature clue find! I am my art; it is my life, and not separated from it. My studio is my home and outside my home and in my pocket and bag when I’m on the road. My happy place is sharing that with my grandkids. 

What do you think about happiness?
My grandkids. Books. Playing my drum set. Board games. My garden and pines. Fishing and kayaking! Watching a waddling porcupine nibbling on my garden. Coffee!! Why? It’s just all so wonderful! 

Contact Info:

• Website: Loritaylorart.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loritaylorartcom
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bookartswithloritaylor8362