Lusciously & Soulfully: Renata Loree

Renata Loree shares her art journal pages in an online forum, and it was her slightly haunting portraits that drew me in.

She’s got a thoughtful way of describing her website Artentive, and her practice.

“Artentive was born out of an experience of living, creating and an attentive yoga practice. After many years of experimenting with different forms of creativity, it had occurred to me that only if we become more present in our own experience and attentive to our process of growth, we can appreciate our life more fully and watch as it develops into more sustainable experience.”

She strives to express what is inward and sometimes hidden, what needs to be communicated to the outer world. I invite you to see what she sees, in this interview.

What does it mean to be an artist? And when did you know you were an artist (aka intensely creative person)?

I always thought I was creative. I remember as a kid I preferred making things as opposed to buying them.

Once I made my mom a sculpture of my hand for her birthday. It took my a while to figure out how to make an exact copy of it, but I guess I did. The secret reveal happened when she came home from work late at night and found it on her nightstand.

I guess I should have explained along with it. It freaked her out so much that she threw it out. I think it was at that time I realized that I was somewhat different and she later explained that she possibly failed to understand my gift completely.

 

When you consider the words luscious and soulful, what comes to mind? Is there anyone you know who embodies these traits? When do you feel luscious and soulful?

I think of Marilyn Monroe, that is what first came to mind. She was very luscious and I think she was soulful as well.

I feel luscious and soulful when I take my bath, I really pamper my body and then I read a book at the same time.

I also feel that way when I paint and listen to music. I can move my whole body to the movement of the brush and it connects to my soul. Something luscious and soulful usually comes of of that.

 

What do you love most about your body? And why?

My feet and my hands. they are like my tools.

My feet carry me to places I need to get to, and my hands help me create what I need.

 

What brings you pleasure? What senses are involved?

Smell, sight, taste, hearing, touch – anything that heightens my sense of being fully alive.

 

If you had to throw a dinner and dance party how would you do it?

I always liked the Italian feasts or the dinners on the french country side. I think the Italians and French really know how to throw a dinner party.

There is always a lot of good food, wine and laughter, and the intimacy of friends. The scenery of course, music, candles and lanterns – all adds to the opening of our senses to heighten the whole experience.

 

Where/how do you find your inspiration?

All around me, it could be my dog looking at me, the trees outside of the window, a song, a memory, a picture in the magazine or something someone says.

The best way to go about it is to act on the impulse, and something interesting always unfurls.

 

What does your ideal day look like?

Care free 🙂

 

What advice would you give to your younger self? How old is she when she needs this advice?

I know that I would never listen to it, but if I could talk some sense to me, at age 9, I would say don’t worry and just follow your instinct, it is right, don’t worry about making mistakes, you will learn from them and get better at what you do.

 

What is your most treasured possession? Tell a little story about it.

I keep a locket of my dog’s hair that passed away a year ago.

He was my most precious companion, and I still miss him dearly. It will always be a reminder of my loss.

 

Inspired resources: please share any heart-moving soul-shaking artistry or experiences that have moved you. What made it so powerful?

When I was about 10 years old, my mom wanted to by me a record. She took me to a music shop and told me to pick one. I did not know any names, but I really liked this one tune and the only way to describe it, I had to sing and hum it. So eventually we found it and the sales man put the record on.

I remember the first notes of the melody brought me to tears. I was so overpowered by emotion, that I started to cry. My mom was of course speechless.

 

Who are your favourite artists? And why?

They truly are many and they can vary day to day. To name few would be to disregard so many.

I love boldness and color in paintings, but I also can connect to the more quiet and expressionistic scenes. It depends on my mood.

If the painting speaks to me through emotion, it will just make my moment or the day and I will know that is what art is about, it helps us talk to our soul and find a deeper meaning for this life.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your art?

I think that I am always a beginner. there is always so much to learn and see, so many ways to express ourselves. And I never want to stop learning.

artentive.net

ps – to see more great interviews, check out the Lusciously and Soulfully interview series.

pps – if you know of any amazing artists I can profile in this series, send me an e-mail with their info – I’m always excited to connect with interesting amazing creatives.