Biography
In the foothills of the Colorado Rockies, a fascination with native wildlife and the historical west began at an early age for Lori Kostur, and continues to be the primary inspiration for her work today.
Lori holds a fine art degree from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and is a member of the Oil Painters of America.
"My artwork is a visual representation of the beauty I find in the everyday. I use oil paints to convey my love of shapes, color, and light. My subject matter can be a beautiful high mountain lake or a still life of a favorite oil lamp.
I am passionate about painting en plein air. There is always something new to learn from the challenge of capturing a scene in a short amount of time. Plein air painting always improves my studio skills.
Thankfully I live in a beautiful area in Wyoming that always inspires me. The people and places in the Saratoga area provide an unlimited amount of subject matter for paintings.
My goal is to help people see the beauty that surrounds us everyday."
Awards
Lori was honored with winning Peoples Choice award at the 2019 Festival of the Arts in Saratoga, WY. for her 3' x 3' oil painting of a very colorful character titled "Local Ass".
In 2019, "Local Ass" was also accepted in the Wyoming Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition. It was awarded a purchase award and now hangs on permanent display at the Wyoming state capitol.
In August 2021 , Lori won Best of Show at the Frontier Prison State Park Plein air in the Parks competition, in Laramie Wyoming, for her oil painting, "Beauty in the Ordinary."
September of 2022, Lori placed second at the Curt Gowdy Plein Air in the Parks competition with her oil painting, "Hidden Falls."
June of 2023, Lori was awarded 3rd place at the Curt Gowdy Plein Air in the Parks competition with her oil painting, "Cool Waters."
Public Art Commissions
In the 1980's Lori was commissioned to create a larger than life bronze monument for the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. If you visit the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, in Leadville Colorado, you can see the larger than life bronze monument she created to represent the mining industry. The "Singlejack" is a primary feature at the museum.
In 2023 completed and installed the tryptic, Lake Marie mural for the new hospital in Saratoga, Wy. The oil painting was commissioned by the Platte Valley Arts Council. Each panel was 4 feet wide by 6 feet tall. Also the same public art commission included a casting of one of the "Single Jack" bronze limited edition miner series for permanent instillation at the Grand Encampment Museum.
In 2024, Lori was commissioned to paint two large murals for the Platte Valley Community Center on permanent public display in the foyer. One scene depicts the Sheep rock landmark seen from Saratoga. The other scene is from the shore of beautiful Lake Marie in the Snowy range. Each mural is 6 feet wide by 8.5 feet tall.
