Lori Frank is an independent Edmonton, Alberta, Canadian artist with over 30 years of painting experience.  In 2013 she fulfilled her lifelong dream of pursuing her art full time and jumped out of the corporate world with both feet.  Lori specializes in acrylics and oils for uplifting, colourful and unique pieces.  Lori's works have been showcased at Edmonton City Hall, the  Muttart Conservatory and the Jubilee Auditorium.  She has focused on painting Edmonton's river valley for the last 10 years and is now also creating her Canadiana series.  In September 2018, her night cityscape painting Reflections of Light was chosen by jury to be featured by EEDC in the second publication of Gifted featuring handmade items from Edmonton Made.  And her painting of the rail car going across the Highlevel bridge (Riding the Rails) was chosen to be in the Gifted catalogue in September 2019.
 
Lori describes her painting style as contemporary neo-impressionist realist. Frank is a fine artist that has been primarily using acrylics to develop her Edmonton river valley series.    She started painting many years ago using watercolours, but ultimately found that acrylics were more flexible for her unique style of painting. Pastels, drawing with charcoal and pencils are other mediums she plans to create with again.  Frank is an avid photographer since also taking it in school and likes to photograph what she'll create for reference material when she is working on a specific subject of importance or particular subject matter.
 
She discovered her unique style of painting organically when she was a teenager taking art classes. Her work has also been described as "dancing, dancing with light. Your eye sort of flicks across from highlight to highlight. It's a joy", Ward 4 City councillor and artist Aaron Paquette.
 
"It's really important for individuals, for cultures, for neighbours, for cities to see themselves reflected in culture and art and that's what (Frank's art) does, it helps us develop even deeper our sense of identity, our sense of belonging and also it feels good to know someone recognizes and sees the same beauty in your surroundings that you do, and maybe sometimes, they uncover something new," Frank says. (excerpt from article in Edmonton Prime Times, Dec 2, 2019)
 
For several years her muse and creative subject has been the Edmonton river valley - North America's largest urban parkland.  She conceived and developed her Stairway to Heaven, Trailblazing and Connector series during this time; and continues to focus on creating new works of these series.

It is her intention with her ongoing series to inspire Edmontonians and tourists to also physically travel firsthand into our valley; to discover and enjoy it, and to develop a deeper connection with it.  Lori is inspired every day by the energy, comfort and serenity that our river valley gives her. Each new painting involves an adventure into the valley to discover the location to capture and then to create it in painting form. She has spent thousands of hours in Edmonton's beautiful river valley photographing some of the better known and unique hiking trails, stairways and bridges, giving them new life with her painting technique. Lori has now painted over 70 paintings of the Edmonton river valley, and Lori feels like she is just getting started! She is further developing her series by painting urban trails above the valley, festivals, activities to do and parks in our valley. Lori also started her night series of iconic Edmonton spots in 2022. Frank feels grateful to paint our city and valley and considers her paintings a historical representation of our time. 

In winter 2014 she was interviewed and her art was featured in a segment by Dez Melenka, called "On Your Street", on Ctv Edmonton; as well as appearing on City Tv, Global Tv and featured in the Edmonton Journal and on Capital FM.
 
Her exhibits in 2014 included unveiling her river valley series at city hall for a featured solo show for The Works Art and Design Festival.  She was chosen by jury for a group exhibit by the River Valley Alliance and Visual Arts Alberta "Marking the Valley" held at the Northern and Southern AB Jubilee Auditoriums.  In December she also had a solo exhibit featuring her Stairway to Heaven series at  the Milner Gallery.
 
Her pop up gallery was at the outdoor city market from 2014 - 2018.
 
In January 2015 she was invited by the City of Edmonton to display her river valley art series at the Wintercities conference at the Shaw conference centre.  Lori was on City Tv in March to promote an upcoming show with the Night of Artists at the Enjoy Centre.  In July she was at the Artwalk for her second time and participated in an art show during the Taste of Edmonton outside of the Winspear.  In August 2015 Lori was chosen by the Daffodil Gallery for a carry-over exhibit from her display at the Artwalk.   
 
In April 2016 a feature produced by Madelaine Skinner of Nait's Broadcasting School (on the CTV2 channel)  featured Lori in it and was about the importance of managing your Art business in today's economy.  July 2016, "Where Edmonton" magazine listed Lori's Edmonton river valley art as one of the top selections of art to "take a piece of the city home with you", in their Made in Edmonton article by Lindsay Shapka.  In September the "Riverdalian" newspaper featured Lori's painting of the Cloverdale Footbridge in it.  On November 30,  2016 the Edmonton Journal featured Lori's art and greeting cards in their holiday gift guide.  April - May 5/17 Lori had a solo art show "Valley Girl" at the Muttart Conservatory. On July 5th Lori was interviewed by Bridget Ryan by request of The organizer of the Artwalk to help promote the upcoming event.  Until May 23rd, 2018 Lori participated in the VOTE FOR YOUR TOTE fundraiser for the United Way in support of those living in poverty. Thank you for voting for my tote and for going to see it at the Premium Outlet Collection at our Edmonton International Airport....it won!  In December 2, 2019 Edmonton Prime Times did a full page feature on Lori. And you can read the artist spotlight in Where magazine that just published in January 2020. In November 2020 Lori 's new Walterdale bridge and Snowbird painting were featured in a newsletter by the Edmonton Arts Council .  A beautifully written article about Lori's art was just published in the Edify Magazine in November as well.  Thank you so much for all of your support...I am humbled beyond measure. 
 
Lori's gratitude and dream continues...
 
Lori's works are in private collections in Canada and the United States, Europe and Australia.   Lori welcomes commissions of any suited subject matter.
 
She is inspired by nature, travel, and always looking for beauty and inspiration in everyday life. It is Lori's life's goal to bring happiness and joy into the world, through her art.

Her work is available directly through her website, at the Edmonton Arts Council's store at Churchill Square and on Etsy Canada.