Meet Lori Daugherty | Encaustic Mixed Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Daugherty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lori, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Success as an artist doesn’t come easy, but having an incredible support system surely helps. I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband who encourages my endeavors, a mentor who has taught me the ropes, amazing family and friends, and most importantly a phenomenal art community.

Not every artist has the luxury of having a supportive family and friends, so the biggest asset to an artist is to go out and find your art community. They are your peers, the ones who truly understand the life of an artist. They have insights into things that you deal with every day. An outstanding art community respects one another, cheers each other on, shares achievements and disappointments, listens, discusses, collaborates, inspires, teaches one another, and even strategizes together. And if you find the right art community, they become trusted friends. I genuinely believe I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without my remarkable support system.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I paint with fire! Armed with torches, I work as an abstract encaustic mixed media artist. I create intricate layers of color using wax, pigment, ink, shellac, and various other mediums. I find that the encaustic medium provides a wealth of depth, breadth, and texture, with an added twist of mystery. My goal as an artist is to immerse the viewer into the intricate journey of each painting, by inviting them to explore its depths and complexities.

I’ve been painting with the encaustic encaustic for over five years. It’s a challenging medium that took some time to master due to its intricate techniques and complexities. Surprisingly, weather plays a crucial role in the process, affecting the wax, inks, and shellacs in various ways. Adapting to these daily changes is key for creating art with the encaustic medium. Simply put, the only way to gain control of the encaustic medium is through time, practice, and experimentation.

My studio & gallery, Darty Art, is located at the Front Street Buildings, in downtown Dayton. Front Street is the home to over 200 artists, and the complex is open to the public on the First Friday and the Third Sunday of each month. However, you can always visit Darty Art on other days by appointment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, this is a tough question because there are so many things to do and see in and around Dayton.

When we have visitors, food is always top of our list of things to do, as it’s a great way to catch up with our guests. Here are some of our favorites. The Fifth Street Brewpub, located in the historical St. Annes Hill neighborhood, has an old neighborhood pub vibe, and it’s known for its Smash Burger, craft beer and Bloody Mary’s. Situated in the historical Oregon District, Lilys Dayton has a fun tiki bar atmosphere, and they are noted for their truly unique table fresh dishes and yummy cocktails. Little Fish offers a rustic-industrial setting, offering delicious charcuterie, small plates, freshly baked bread, craft beer, and cocktails. Salar, also in the Oregon District, is an upscale stylish restaurant featuring exquisite foods and drinks with a Peruvian flare, it’s always a very special treat. Thai Nine, located in the Oregon District, is known for its Thai cuisine and the best Japanese sushi in town. The Pine Club is nationally renowned for its delicious steaks. The atmosphere at the Pine Club is old-school, and so is the way they do business, so remember no jeans and bring the cash. There are also a few unique bars to check out, including The Silver Slipper, The Century Bar and The Foundry.

When it comes to activities, we have a wide range of options to choose from, and we try to fit in as many as possible when entertaining visitors. We may take in a Dayton Dragons game at the ballpark, see a show at the Schuster Center or the Victoria Theatre, enjoy a free concert at The Levitt, take a stroll at Riverscape, rent a bike or scooter, grab a coffee at the Dayton Arcade, see a movie at The Neon, browse the shops and restaurants of the Oregon District, shop the vendors at the Second Street Market, throw an axe or play arcade games at Two Social, take in an art exhibition at one of the galleries, and of course there’s always some kind of festival happening in town, esp. during the summer and fall. Dayton also boasts some incredible museums. The Dayton Art Institute houses thousands of remarkable art pieces, Carillon Park offers a wonderful dive into Dayton’s history (and possibly an eagle sighting), and it’s just a short drive to the Wright-Patterson National Museum of the United States Air Force.

And if our guest just happens to be visiting during the First Friday or the Third Sunday of the month, we would make sure to take them to Front Street for an incredible art experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Seven years ago, my awesome husband Jon gave me a birthday gift of a workshop with one of my favorite artists, Mike Elsass. This gift changed my life forever! What began as a two-hour workshop turned into a full-day adventure of painting, discussions, encouragement, and a new friendship. Right then and there, Mike invited me to become one of his assistants. For the next year, I had the privilege of being mentored by one of the most beloved and respected artists in the city of Dayton. Not only did Mike teach me his “Brush before Brain” approach to painting, but also the many aspects of the art business. He also encouraged me to develop my own distinctive style of art and open my very own studio. He gave me what I needed and then shoved me out of the nest.

To this day, Mike remains one of my biggest cheerleaders, always encouraging me to take that next step. Even more importantly, he has been an advocate and mentor for numerous local artists, as well as the entire Dayton art community. Mike frequently brainstorms fun ideas for community events, projects, and shows, many of which are unconventional but usually quite successful. With the assistance of fellow artist Julie Riley, Mike’s latest concept is a weekly morning coffee gathering where almost anything can happen. This has encouraged so many artists to step out of their studios, connect with other artists, and engage within the local art community. Having individuals like Mike involved is crucial to the creation of a wonderful art community. Mike is a true inspiration to many of us, and we greatly value his mentorship and friendship.

As for Mike’s artwork, it’s pure color and energy, much like the artist himself. Mike paints beautiful abstract landscapes on repurposed, rusted, and weathered steel. Through his unique approach, Mike is inspired by nature and lets the paints, the materials, and even the rust guide each of his amazing creations. As he often quotes “it’s less about the outcome, and more about the experience.” His work is featured in thousands of homes, offices, and institutions throughout the United States. To explore Mike Elsas’s incredible artwork and learn more about the artist, please visit www.mikeelsass.com.

Website: https://www.dartyart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dartyartdayton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dartyartdayton

Image Credits
Photo Credit:
Jess Lundin & Jon Daugherty