Lori Ristau studied art all through high school and, after a bit of a hiatus, returned to studying art again later in life. She has taken classes in drawing and painting through the Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Public Schools Community Education and online.

Her love of art and animals started early in life. She still vividly remembers her first painting in kindergarten. It was, of course, of some kind of animal, and the class was only given one color to use – red. Today she enjoys working in a variety of colors and mediums, including oil paint, pastel (chalks), watercolor and line & wash.

Lori strives to bring joy to others by capturing the personality of every animal she draws and paints. From the proud pig with his head held high to the hopeful puppy looking up with anticipation at its owner, she enjoys discovering and sharing the emotions of animals through her work. She hopes her work brings a smile to others and thoughtful consideration of the lives of animals.