Meet Lori Herbst

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Herbst.

Lori, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was working as a costumer when my contract was cut, I saw a good opportunity to put my skills in sewing, design and building into something more personal to me. I made a few tote bags from vinyl and felt that this material was excellent for making portraits. It’s durable and tactile and comes in a wide range of colors.

My husband is an artist who mainly does t-shirts and album art for punk bands. He encouraged me to start making art and showing it in galleries. I made a piece for a benefit for the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Santa Cruz and it sold immediately, which gave me the confidence to push on.

I expanded to galleries in the LA area; Creature Features, Cactus Gallery, the Hive, Gallery 1988, Corey Helford, Pacific Coast Gallery, Hyaena Gallery and more I’m sure I’m leaving out.

I also began exhibiting at conventions like Designer Con, which quickly introduced me to a lot of artists and buyers.

I do the bulk of my business online. Mainly through Instagram.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, things have been pretty smooth. Like any business, there have been setbacks. I have attended more than one convention where I made zero sales and I made 100 bags for a boutique where only handful sold. All the bags sold eventually but I learned how difficult a giant order is when you don’t have employees. I also curated a couple of shows that were so stressful, I ended up at the dentist because my jaw locked up. I try not to get myself into situations where so much is out of my control anymore.

Please tell us more about your art.
I am an independent artist. I specialize in realistic portraits made from glitter upholstery vinyl that I hand cut with hobby blades and sew to canvas. I’m probably more known for the bags I make. I make customized tote bags, purses, handbags, etc. with portraits and images on them.

There are so many businesses that make beautiful bags and art from glitter vinyl, but as far as I know, I’m the only person (so far, anyway) who makes photo-realistic portraits. I do a handful of collaborations with bags every year, but I developed the technique for making the portraits and my style is completely my own.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have so many people to credit!

First and foremost, my husband, Chris Shary. He’s been absolutely essential in helping me figure out what I’m doing. When I first started, I would come to him, frustrated and he would help me with shading and support,

My mom, Sue Herbst and my dad, Bob Herbst taught me to sew and build, respectively. My mom is a wealth of information on sewing and I have so often gone to her with questions. My dad taught me to weld and troubleshoot and using these skills has come in so handy in layering and fabrication. Especially on pieces over 5 feet.

My son deserves so much credit! He not only is patient with my constant work, he has done everything from shipping to manning booths at conventions, to laying out pattern pieces and endless drives and being gracious at galleries for hours.

Christine Benjamin, Bonnie Robinson Stewart, Ellen Schinderman are three artists who are amazing and inspiring and have helped in more ways than I can count.

I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me and been a patron. I honestly could make a 12-page list and still not include everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: loriherbstartist.com
• Phone: 209-986-4416
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: loribherbst
• Twitter: @loriherbstart

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.