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Studio Space: Lori Simon

Though Lori Simon has retired from the real estate industry, the abstract artist is still making deals from her cozy studio space.

  • By Nick Reichert
  • | 6:00 a.m. April 22, 2015
Though Lori Simon has retired from the real estate industry, the abstract artist is still making deals from her cozy studio space. Photos by Nick Reichert.
Though Lori Simon has retired from the real estate industry, the abstract artist is still making deals from her cozy studio space. Photos by Nick Reichert.
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Lori Simon has always had an eye for a space. Born in Michigan, Simon studied fine art and art history at the University of Michigan, where she studied master artists and their use of space on the canvas. After graduation, she put her artistic mind to use in creating an inviting home for her family.

Once her children grew up and went to college, Simon and her husband, David, moved in 2004 to Lido Beach from Michigan. The Simons decided to focus on area real estate and established a realty business partnership. However, Sarasota’s dynamic cultural and artistic community reignited Simon’s artistic spark.

She left the real estate business to focus on her artwork full time in late 2012. She began in her garage but invested in a studio space in the Rosemary District in February 2014. Her return to her creative passion has been an affirming endeavor.

Simon’s abstract and expressionistic work has found fans at Art Center Sarasota and commissions with PNC Bank and Saks Fifth Avenue, where her work currently hangs. Saks enjoyed Simon’s work so much that the company ordered an additional 26 pieces for a new Saks Fifth Avenue in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“When I first started painting I was working on canvas. I worked with acrylics on canvas. This was the type of work I was doing for many years. I always liked painting big and with my body. I’d put on music and use my whole body while painting. “
“When I first started painting I was working on canvas. I worked with acrylics on canvas. This was the type of work I was doing for many years. I always liked painting big and with my body. I’d put on music and use my whole body while painting. “
“I started painting on paper about a year and a half ago. I did a lot of reading on Asian art and on quieter and zen things. I like the minimalist work, and my work started getting quieter.”
“I started painting on paper about a year and a half ago. I did a lot of reading on Asian art and on quieter and zen things. I like the minimalist work, and my work started getting quieter.”
“The energy here is really great because there are a lot of artists in this building. The light is great. I blast my music, and I have my dog here — I’m happy as can be. I set my clock to remember when to go home.”
“The energy here is really great because there are a lot of artists in this building. The light is great. I blast my music, and I have my dog here — I’m happy as can be. I set my clock to remember when to go home.”
“I wake up every morning and I can’t wait to get here. The success has been a total surprise, but I do it because I love to do it. It’s been a lot of work and a lot of fun.”
“I wake up every morning and I can’t wait to get here. The success has been a total surprise, but I do it because I love to do it. It’s been a lot of work and a lot of fun.”
Lori Simon's studio space.
Lori Simon's studio space.

 

 

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