Loren Batt’s mixed media works are like small stages on which the human condition is played out. Please visit her website to see more of her fascinating work.
“Guardian Angel of Those Who are Stuck Inside the Box” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 12” x 10.5” x 7”
I’m one of those people who can’t see the forest for the trees. I’m entranced by details, seduced by rich colors and textures, enthralled by a skillfully depicted story.
“Guardian Angel of the Interrupted” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 17.5” x 14.5” x 9”
Over the years I’ve worked in different media (viscosity etching, collography, monotype, collage, oil and acrylic painting, soft sculpture and more recently, digital media). My husband’s job has also required that we move a lot, and living in different parts of the world has afforded me the privilege of observing people from diverse cultures and detecting the common strands that deep down make us more similar than different.
“Guardian Angel of Insomniacs” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 19” x 11.75” x 10”
I’ve had the luck to wander for hours in great museums where, among the huge range of treasures offered, I’ve always been pulled to the works which offer a richness of narrative, composition and color.
“Lead Me into Temptation” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 7” x 9.5” x 2”
In the craft markets of Central America, the country churches of Sweden and by the road-side altars of Patagonia, the strings of my heart and mind have been pulled by the ingenious visual imagination of the artisans whose jobs involve imparting stories and legends to a wider public.
“Help Me to Take Risks in Life…” Acrylic on Record Player Case, Tulle and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 14” x 14” x 5.25”
Sitting in the metro in Paris, my glance settles on a stranger’s face and I perceive the thread of a tale about our human condition. Stopping into flea markets near my home in France, or on the road while traveling, my eye settles on an old cabinet or globe which calls out for me to transform it into a stage for a new story.
“Let Me be Just a Little Bit Pretty…” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 5.5” x 4.5” x 2”
It was only natural that these nuggets of visual treasure and the attributes of the various media in which I have worked should come together into a stylistic amalgam: today I am a painter/sculptor/illustrator/stage designer all rolled into one.
“Help Me to Take Risks in Life 2…” Photoshop Composition, Various Sizes
In addition to the physical pieces I create, I like to take photographed elements of my work and weave them into new digital narratives in Photoshop or PS Touch on my iPad, or else just directly paint a running journal into the wonderful ArtRage app.
“Listen to Me” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 7” x 9.5” x 2”
My work is concerned with individuals facing the daily questions and problems of their lives in a way that most of us can recognize: their flaws, their fears, their desires for immaterial relief. Health, self-esteem, more control over the fleetingness of life, respect, less anxiety, more love, less arbitrary judgment, more courage.
“Let Me Learn to Tango…” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 6” x 9” x 2”
Essential to me is the artisan’s hands-on approach to the construction of a work, finessing the details and the atmosphere, and gaining the upper hand over the inevitable problems and mistakes that arise along the way.
“Guardian Angel of Those Who are Oppressed by the Mafias of the World” Acrylic on Wooden Box and Sewn, Stuffed Canvas, 16” x 10.5” x 6”
Guardian angels appear regularly in my work—they are there to empathize with each one of us and help us face our challenges. They gently remind us that we, as a species, have more in common than not.
Very inventive and imaginative. Love your work.
Thank you Jason!
These are wonderful. Seldom see work this skilled and also profound. Thank you for being.
Hana Girdvainis-Sawyer
Thankyou Hana! Your kind words have made a happy artist 🙂
These are wonderful! Aside from the obvious workmanship and talent, what really captures me is that the bright colors and doll like figures at first look so fun and light, like Mexican folk art (which I love). Then, you start looking more closely and everything weighs in, becoming heavy and somber. It’s a great dance between the two and you achieve it perfectly!
Thanks Rachel! I’m glad you got in touch with me- it’s all very encouraging!
One of my favorite artists!
Thanks Sam! Looks like we have a mutual fan club going… 🙂
I’m a painter of portraits and sea scapes. When I first saw your introduction image in Artsyshark I almost went to the next artist. But, let me take a look. WOW ! I really found your work fascinating. I always try to title my works to give meaning to the piece. Your works are so descriptive of their titles. Then again your work is very notable and accomplished.
Thanks Bill, I’m so glad you did a double-take and didn’t pass on by! I guess the great thing about this site is that it invites us to look at such a variety of work that we might otherwise not focus on…
Hi Loren,
your works caught my eye. I love the depth, then the humor of them. I’m an artist myself and can appreciate the workmanship and your creative ideas. Good job.
Thank you Christina- it’s always nice to get feedback from other artists!
I am inspired by your work. It is wonderful.
Angela, thank you! I’m not sure I ever thought of myself as a source of inspiration before- it feels nice!