Loren Wherry Fears No Media

Loren Wherry is a 12 year-old mixed media artist.  At her West Medford home I saw sharpie, wood, canvas, mirror paper, acrylic paint, beads, decoupage, pencil, and charcoal pressed into the service of Loren's art.  The works ranged from abstract to pointillism to realism, paintings to necklaces to sketches.  She has exhibited at both West Medford and Arlington Open Studios, and her jewelry is being sold on consignment at Sweet Beads in Lexington.

Loren, a student at St. Raphael Parish School, works with Steve Shade at Artworks in Medford Square to create much of her art.  Loren has taken art classes with Steve since she was a kindergartner, and the two are more like collaborators than student and teacher.  Loren credits Steve with getting her to push her artistic limits, and much of her art starts in her or Steve's recycling bin.  A kitchen renovation was the genesis of a wood and mirror paper work.

Her key to awesomeness?  It's in her advice to aspiring artists:  "Think of what you're uncomfortable with, and do it.  If you're frustrated, take it in a completely different direction."  You won't catch Loren churning out the same landscapes or necklaces.  Every work is different, from materials to style to color.  And her Sharon Street neighborhood, which features at least 8 housees for West Medford Open Studios, is clearly an environment Loren thrives in.