Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Triba.
Hi Lori, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Omaha Nebraska – youngest of 5 children, and I now reside in the heart of Texas – for over a decade, I’ve been an artist since about the age of 3 . . . or earlier. Studying Fine Art at The University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Omaha, I switched gears to learn Graphic Design. While attending Metro Tech in Omaha, I landed a job at the silk-screen company Print-A-Shirt in C.B., IA., designing for such entities as the NCAA. I honed my graphics talent and eventually branched off to freelance work, and owning my own business. My work has been utilized for over 38 years, including with world renown Oriental Trading Company where I was employed as a Product Designer from 1998 to 2000. My novelty cartoon toy designs were top sellers, often featured on their catalog covers and seasonal themes, and some are still in use with the company today. During that time I made the transition from old school ways of print and product design preparation, which included hand-cutting Rubylith /Amberlith films with X-Acto knives, to computer graphics. I credit those early experiences with fine-tuning my attention to the smallest detail, which is a hallmark of my services to my clients. These days my focus is on photography and website creation. My greatest joy in life is being the mother of two incredible children, and a Nana to two adorable grandsons. I give God, my savior Jesus Christ, all the glory for my talent, successes, and all good and great things in life!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been long (literally, as I’m a (young) senior citizen now!), and winding, and as many artists – I’ve had to seek employment in other arenas in the past, such as waiting tables, even advising and preparing student loan consolidations, among other jobs. I am extremely blessed to be a professional artist, employed on my own. I have ridden the waves of many years of trends and transitions with technology; the current AI revolution, notwithstanding – however, I’ve been able to monetize designs in that arena as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my early pre-career – studying Fine Art at the University of Nebraska, I began to realize that making a living as a Fine Artist was not going to be an easy road for me. Switching to Graphic Arts was a game changer, and my employment by Print-A-Shirt – a silk-screen company was my first job in the field. I beat out many applicants for the in-house artist position and I attribute that to an energetic creative streak that ran wild. At one juncture, we were designing nightwear for a department store (Brandeis – as many Nebraskans will recall), that called for cute cartoon designs, which was a new slant for my skills. I fell in love and started to make my own greeting cards at home using a copy machine, cardstock, and coloring/painting them by hand. That led to a freelance gig with MediBadge, who produces and markets stickers and reward items to dentists, doctors and other niches. Through the years I freelanced for many businesses, did a second stint at another silk-screen company, and then became employed by Oriental Trading Company. There were 10 artists in our room at headquarters, and we’d design characters for seasonal lines and such. Mine were often chosen over all other offerings to be put on the lines, and catalog covers, so my work has been seen and utilized world over. That’s my biggest ‘claim to fame’. This last February, having won the Adobe Lightroom Holiday Photo Contest (along with one more winner) is another – one I’m most proud of. What sets me apart is my extreme attention to detail, and heart and soul in everything I design, every click of the shutter – then, at times taking what often maybe even be throw away photos, and turning them into art. Creating fantastical composites is a specialty of mine. Capturing memories and moments for clients and community members in event shoots allows me joy in what I am creating and presenting to them – and in turn hopes they treasure them just as much. I also enjoy creating/designing websites for small businesses and artists who can eventually manage the site on their own – or hire me to manage it as needed. Square/Weebly’s platform allows for this model, and has been highly effectual, and also cost effective, for clients, as well as my own website.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
In today’s tech world, this is a tough one – I feel for those who are skilled and adept at drawing, painting, creating without AI. My advice – jump on the AI wagon, as it’s not going away. If you can get ‘real’ art into the marketplace, even galleries – more power to you! I was loath to use AI for art at first, but I maintain it’s like any technology – take fire for example – it can be used for great good, but also can be used for the opposite. Focus on the positives and possibilities! What I wish I knew when I was starting out – stand your ground for a good salary or fee. Keep knocking on the doors, because if you’re good enough, more than one will open. I could have created the next Snoopy at Oriental Trading Company – for the hourly wage I was paid. That’s one reason one day I looked around the room at work – and said: “Yeah, I’m done” – no two weeks notice – I left that day! I knew my skills were worth more, and I have yet to get the really big payout in my life’s work, but I hold on to a meme on my desktop with an image of a young Obi Wan, next to an old one. It reads: “A study found that the most productive age in human life in the U.S is 60-70 years old. The average age of Nobel Prize winners is 62, of CEOs of prominente companies is 63 years….”, and it goes on a bit. I also hold on to a business idea which has shown me some promise in the past, which I plan to take to the desired level of success in the years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluejeancreativestudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluejeancreativestudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluejeancreativestudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loritriba/
