Lori Indovina-Valus has been involved with art, design and photography her whole life. As a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she has had an art teaching career of over 10 years in Chicago and McHenry County. Her graphic design and illustration work has been published for over 24 years and has won many awards from professional newspaper associations in state, national and international competitions. Lori’s wildlife illustrations have been exhibited and published in wildlife rehabilitation manuals.

 

Her award winning fine art has been seen throughout the area in venues such as “Real People” and “Women’s Works” at the Old Courthouse Arts Center in Woodstock, IL, the Starline Gallery in Harvard, IL and the Norris Gallery in St. Charles, IL.. She is a member of the Northwest Area Arts Council,  The Lake County Watercolor Guild,  and Geneva Lake Art Association.

   

Lori’s nature photographs have caught the attention of the conservation community. Her photos capturing the beauty and diversity of wildlife contained in the Black Crown Marsh in McHenry are now being used to help in fund-raising efforts by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for preservation of the entire wetland basin. The goal is to acquire lands around the perimeter of the marsh and eventually open the area to the public.The land conservation organization called OpenLands.org will be using her photos on their website, dedicating a page to the Black Crown Marsh. Her photos capture the marsh at different times of the day highlighting the effects of light and the changing mood of the landscape.The inhabitants of the marsh, birds, plants and insects are also featured. A photo of the Black Crown Marsh “Geese Rising with the Sun was chosen by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission for inclusion in an exhibit “Illinois’ Natural Treasures” in 2010. Lori's photos serve as resource for her fine art/watercolors.

 

Excellence Award: Bartlett, Il Festival of the Arts, 2010

Third Place Award: Prairie Crossing Art Fair,, Grayslake IL, 2010

Honorable Mention: Northland Art League, Woodstock, IL 2013

Algonquin Art on the Fox art Fair, 2016 "Best of Show"

Norris Gallery, St. Charles, IL Watercolor 2017, Honorable Mention

 

Photos published:

Chicago Collection Magazine, 2012

Birds and Blooms Magazine, 2013

National Wildlife Federation Web Site 2013