Louise Schine

My name is Louise Schine, and I am a 75-year-old retired educator and self-taught alcohol ink artist. I was raised in Los Angeles, where I grew up watching my mother, a brilliant crafter, delight friends, family, and others with her beautiful floral pieces, porcelain dolls, and many other creations. As I watched, I wanted to craft too. I began by doing silk floral arrangements, then graduated to other crafts and arts, including water marbling.

While I am relatively new as a visual artist, art has always been in my background. I began music lessons at age six and carried that passion into my professional life as a middle school band and chorus teacher. Additionally, I’ve worked at all levels of education, from preschool through college, including in district office administration.

I discovered alcohol ink painting through my nail technician. She was using it as nail art and suggested that I research the process, get the supplies, and try it. I followed her suggestion, and I was hooked. I am now an Alcohol Ink Artist.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

Category: Painter

Style: Visual Arts : Abstract

Medium: Mixed Media ; alcohol ink

Artist Statement

Please provide a brief description of your creative process, motivations, and inspirations:

In my artistic journey, I delve into the realm of abstraction, where vivid colors and diverse textures come alive. At times, my medium of choice is fluid and unpredictable alcohol ink, known for its vibrant blends and dynamic movement. In other instances, I infuse my work with the rich cultural tapestries of African textiles or the elegant intricacies of Japanese Kimono or Obi fabric. These elements aren’t just materials; they are catalysts for my boundless imagination, transporting me to “mountain forests” and allowing me to envision “warrior women,” “cranes in the moonlight,” “imperial dragons,” and many other wonderful and fantastical visions. My imagination truly is boundless.

For me, creating art is meditative, relaxing, and expressive. It’s like my music—a space where I can lose my reality-based conscious self while finding all the emotional parts of myself in their purest form, free from judgment or speculation. It’s simply what and who I am at that particular moment in time. Joy, exhilaration, sadness, fear, anger, and all other emotions can be expressed through art. Additionally, I hope that my art brings joy and pleasure to others. If I can express myself and bring pleasure to others, I feel that I will have contributed, even if just a little, to making my environment a better place.