Short Bio
Lorrie Fink uses the expressiveness of natural forms to investigate color and pattern. With her studio located in her garden, she is surrounded by the bounty of nature.
Statement
I link the narrative of deep time — a geologic timeline of Earth’s natural history — with contemporary concerns about climate crises. Exploring the intersection of wild and cultivated landscapes, I envision a world where forests are preserved and green spaces are considered essential features of urban life.
I paint silhouetted shapes inspired by ferns that flourish in old growth forests and the edges of my own backyard. Ferns are among the most primitive botanical life forms, having thrived for millions of years by adapting to an ever-changing environment. Old growth forests are unique markers of Earth’s timeline.
By combining painterly brushwork with the graphic quality of handcut stencils, I build layers of marks and glazes that result in unique patterns of biomorphic shapes. I focus my awareness of environmental concerns about sustainability and stewardship, while celebrating the beauty and exuberance of our natural world.
Biography
Oakland artist Lorrie Fink uses the expressiveness of natural forms to investigate color and pattern. With her studio located in her garden, she is surrounded by the bounty of nature.
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., she received a B.S. in Broadcasting & Film and a Master of Education degree in Media and Technology, both from Boston University. While
working at the Oakland Museum in the late 1970s, Fink was introduced to the Society of Six California Colorists, whose work influenced her desire to explore color and light through painting. She was a principal partner of Seventeenth Street Studios, a graphic design company in Oakland, CA for 25 years.
Her work has been exhibited in numerous group shows, both nationally and around the San Francisco Bay Area since 2003. Her paintings are included in private collections throughout the U.S. and in the collections of Kaiser Permanente medical offices at various locations in Northern California.
Resume / CV
one-person exhibitions
2019 Before the Clocks Held Time, NIAD Art Center, Richmond, CA
2017 Out Loud, Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton, CA
2012 Lorrie Fink Recent Paintings, Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton, CA
2011 Wild Things: The Unintended Landscape, El Cerrito City Hall Gallery, El Cerrito, CA
2008 Above and Below the Surface: An Atlas, EBMUD Public Gallery, Corporate Offices, Oakland, CA
selected group exhibitions
2023 Pint Size: Small Scale Assemblage, Transmission Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Post Montgomery Center, San Francisco, curated by Slate Art Consulting (upcoming)
2022 Voyage, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Juror: Emilee Enders.
12 x 12 x (12), Cabrillo Gallery at Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA.
Land/Up in Arms, The Drawing Room, San Francisco. Curators: Courtney Norris, Renee DeCarlo.
Strictly Abstract, O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley, CA. Juror: Emebet Korn.
Natural Habitats, Cabrillo Gallery at Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA. Jurors: Donna Seager and Suzanne Gray.
Women Rising. The Drawing Room, San Francisco. Curators: Courtney Norris, Renee DeCarlo.
Medley. Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
2021 Crocker-Kingsley 2021 Biennial, Blueline Arts, Roseville, CA. Juror: Carrie Lederer.
Eco-Centric, Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
2020 Earth Works: Art in Ecological Context, Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY. Juror: Karl Kusserow.
Habitat California: Flora & Fauna, Palos Verdes Art Center, CA. Juror: Tulsa Kinney, Editor, Artillery.
2019 Uplift: Celebrating the Sierra Nevada, Arts Benicia, Benicia, CA. Juror: Jeanne Lorenz.
West Coast Biennial, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, CA. Juror: Carrie Lederer.
Double Yellow, Orangeland Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Curator: Candace Loheed.
2018 In the Fields: Botanical Lore, Arts Benicia, Benicia, CA. Juror: Jennifer Perlmutter.
Small Works, Selections by Phil Linhares. Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA. Juror’s Award.
No Mud, No Lotus, Orangeland Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Curator: Candace Loheed.
2017 Beyond Landscapes, Gray Loft Gallery, Oakland, CA. Curator, Jan Watten.
Borders, Edges, and Seams, Blackboard Gallery, Camarillo, CA. Juror, Carol Sauvion.
The Gardener, SF Ferry Bldg; Fourth Street, Berkeley; Healdsburg, CA.
Back to the Garden, Ciel Gallery, Charlotte, NC. Juror, Felicia van Bork.
2016 Axis Gallery 11th National Juried Exhibition, Sacramento, CA. Juror, Gregory Volk.
All Things Plant Life, Partners Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA. Juror, Carrie Lederer.
Backyard Beauty, Harrington Gallery, Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton, CA. Curator, Julie Finegan.
Botanical Languages, North Berkeley Investment Partners, Berkeley, CA. Curator, James Wilson.
2015 Art for HueManity, Fused Space, San Francisco, CA
Collect! Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2014 Left Coast Juried Annual, Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA. Juror, Jenny Gheith.
There is a There There, Gray Loft Gallery, Oakland, CA.
Flora and Form, Gray Loft Gallery, Oakland, CA
Color and Place, Gallery @ Panorama, Oakland, CA
Collector Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2013 Expressions West, Annual Juried Exhibition, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR. Juror, John Hewitt
Art for HueManity, Fouladi Projects, San Francisco, CA
Big is Beautiful, Art Contemporary Marin, Bay Model Visitors Center, Sausalito, CA
Celebrating Monterey, Arts Council for Monterey County, Government Center, Salinas, CA
Transport, Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA
Love Show, Gray Loft Gallery, Oakland, CA
2012 Fresh Works, Firehouse Arts Center, Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, CA. Juror, Kim Anno
Flora and Fauna: Narrative through Iconography, Lockhart Gallery, SUNY Geneseo, NY
2011 Shine, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Art on the Farm, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA
2010 Landfillart, An Artist Reclamation Project, Wilkes Barre, PA, www.landfillart.org
Edible Art, JanRae Community Art Gallery, Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Oakland, CA
The Color is Red, Black Dot Gallery, Oakland, CA
Rebuild Pazapa Center in Jacmel Haiti Benefit, Braunstein/Quay Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2009 Road Trip: Eight at the 1870, 1870 Art Center, Belmont, CA
Big (Blue) Deal, benefit for Visual Aid, SOMArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Science & Art, Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland, CA
Art on the Farm, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA
2008 Summer Exhibition, Seed Corn Gallery, The Greenlining Institute, Berkeley, CA
Art, Math, and Science, A Different Day Gallery, Albany, CA
Road Trip: Nine at the Uptown, Uptown Body & Fender, Art Murmur, Oakland, CA
collections
Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices, Dublin, CA; Livermore, CA; Oakland, CA
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA
registries Chandra Cerrito/Art Advisors. http://www.chandracerrito.com/
Alameda County Arts Commission Artist Registry
awards
Small Works, Selections by Phil Linhares. Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA. Juror’s Award.
work featured in publications and professional associations
2018
Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA. Featured Artist, May–June 2018.
www.berkeleyartcenter.org/#/lorrie-fink-2018-featured-artist/
2012
Generations Literary Journal, Issue 3, Spring 2012. Theme: Global Citizenship. Featured artist.
California English (CATE Journal, California Association of Teachers of English). Vol. 17, No. 3. Winter 2012.
2009
Edible East Bay, Vol. 4, No. 3, Summer 2009, (cover)
COMtalk, Boston University College of Communication alumni magazine, Spring 2009.
California English (CATE Journal, California Association of Teachers of English) Vol. 14, No. 4, April 2009.
2008 The Seed Corn Gallery, Summer 2008 exhibition catalog, a Greenlining Community Arts Initiative Project
grants
2010, 2011 Quick Grant Program, Creative Capacity Fund, Center for Cultural Innovation, San Francisco, CA
2021 San Jose ICA Portfolio Review, juried artist recipient
affiliations
Richmond Art Center
Berkeley Art Center
Eco Art Space
CrossBay Artists Art on the Farm
Women Eco Artists Dialog
education
1972 Master of Education, Media and Technology, Boston University, MA
1970 Bachelor of Science, Broadcasting and Film, Boston University, MA
1979–Present Classes and workshops in drawing and painting:
UC Berkeley Extension California College of Arts Extension Laney College
Merritt College Provincetown Art Assn. and Museum Truro Art Center
Kala Art Institute City College of San Francisco San Francisco Art Institute
reviews
Zanardi, Bonny. Road Trip’ show rolls into the 1870 Art Center Gallery. San Mateo Times, (Bay Area News Group), December 22, 2009.
Casey, Laura. The buzz of this Friday’s Oakland Art Murmur. March 4, 2008. <http://blogs.mercurynews. com/aei/2008/03/04/the-buzz-of-this-fridays-oakland-art-murmur/>
Cheng, DeWitt. Critic’s Choice. Above and Below the Surface: An Atlas. East Bay Express, Vol. 31, Issue 10, December 17, 2008, p. 24.
