ARTWORK
Artist Biography
Wildlife artist Lori Dunn is quickly becoming one of Canada’s premiere scratchboard artists. Enrolled in painting classes as a child and encouraged throughout school, it was presumed that she would continue to pursue an artistic career. However, with a passion and keen interest in animals, Lori decided to study the sciences. Graduating with a BSc. in Zoology, she entered into a fifteen-year career as a professional zookeeper.These years of experience gave her a deep appreciation for the need to protect habitats and endangered species. After several years as a zookeeper and naturalist, Dunn resumed her artistic endeavours, finding a way to combine her artistic ability and her desire to conserve nature. Most of her artworks are paired with text serving to educate others on the conservation status of the species and its importance to our environment. Dunn often donates a percentage of the sale of her artwork to various conservation organisations.
As a zookeeper, Dunn worked with a vast array of animals ranging from the smallest invertebrates to large animals like elephants and gorillas. Her special area of interest and knowledge, however, is that of reptiles and amphibians. She continues to educate others on the value of these creatures in our ecosystems and hopes that, through her art, she can break down some of the misconceptions and phobias people have about snakes and other maligned species.