Texas Ranch Journal Feature Artist Lori Spradley Logo

I was born in Parma, Ohio, at the age of 13, my father was transferred to Houston, Texas. As the old saying goes “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as soon as I could”. I have been artistic since I was a little girl … constantly drawing, with my favorite subject being the horse.

After, a short stint at a traditional college, I obtained a degree in Visual Communications from The Art Institute of Houston in 1987. However, the drawing never stopped. I was employed at several Advertising Agencies as an Art Director for several years, most notably Ogilvy and Mather in Houston, Texas working on the Compaq account. In 1993, I gave up the advertising game to pursue being a full time mother for my, at the time, 4 year old son, and moved from Houston to Magnolia. 

Throughout the next 25 years, I dabbled in a bit of watercolor and a few freelance jobs of logo work and graphic designs. In 2013, we moved to a 41 acre ranchette in Dripping Springs, Texas and named it 3 Steer Farms … lovingly named for my 3 pet Texas Longhorns, Brutus, Baboo and Boscoe. Later, adding a lovely lady longhorn which we named Bessie.

In 2018, I decided I’d properly get back into art. I had only tried oil paints once before , and was nervous to try again, but decided to go for it. My first painting was of my longhorn, Baboo. I was hooked. During the past 4 years my paintings have gotten bigger and more detailed with my favorite subject being “the animal”. My paintings have been sold here in the United States, as well as England. 

After a vacation seeing the beautiful animals of the area, I quickly painted a series of representing the animals of The Cotswolds, the most popular, “The Cotswold Sheep”. Another painting that seems to get quite a lot of attention is a piece called, “Duncan’s Longhorn” which portrays a longhorn that lives on Bell Springs Road in Dripping Springs. He gets a lot of attention by passers by, as well. 

My commissions range from pet portraits to livestock, as well as, the human.

Texas Ranch Journal Feature Artist Lori Spradley Duncan's Longhorn

“Duncan’s Longhorn” 2018 36” x 36” Oil on Stretched Canvas (SOLD)

Texas Ranch Journal Feature Artist Lori Spradley Cotswold Sheep

“The Cotswold Sheep” 2019 30” x 40” Oil on Stretched Canvas

Texas Ranch Journal Feature Artist Lori Spradley Stallion Study

“A Stallion Study” 2022 30” x 40” Oil on Stretched Canvas

Texas Ranch Journal Feature Artist Lori Spradley Baboo Hay

“Baboo in the Hay” 2018 16” x 20” Oil on Canvas board

Texas Ranch Journal Feature Artist Lori Spradley Working

Artistic Statement:Inspired by all living creatures, I pay close attention to my subjects personality and individuality. Most of my work focuses on the subject alone, with no distractions. This creates an opportunity to experience an animal’s sentient existence. I create an impression of their charm and temperament … whether it is with a gleam of an eye or a flare of a nostril. While painting, I strive to create lighting that is truthful to the surroundings without the confusion of its reality. I also aim to use my own photography as reference. That way, I can choose an odd stance or an unusual look to show movement, fluidity and nature, rather than a static pose.