Loran Schultz

Art has always held a prominent place amidst the chaos of my mind. From growing up in a household of artists on the outskirts of Oregon Wisconsin, through majoring in Psychology at University of Wisconsin - Madison, my passion for making art has remained a constant presence and driving force in my world. Within this world, however, anxiety has also been a companion of mine. While in part, this anxiety helped move me to where I am today, traumatic situations outside of my control pushed that ‘somewhat helpful’ anxiety into a downward spiral of debilitating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. 

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During this period of time, I could do nothing. But through doing nothing, I realized the only way forward was through doing something I love …

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        … my art

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By engaging in the creative process, my brain was able to relinquish some of its need for control, so that I could reclaim some of mine. People often think the intricate nature of my pieces are planned and deliberate or that I have a clear idea of the end result before beginning, but in truth, my paintings are a reflection of my brain at rest. My art is a radical act of taking my power back. It is a meditation that allows me to find joy in the chaos of lines, shapes and colors.