About the Artist: Lori Portka
About the Cover Artist
April 2026 Issue
About the Cover Artist — Lori Portka
by Lindsay Gifford
When it comes to art, Lori Portka has two mantras: 1. Happiness Through Art; and 2. Art and Love from Me to You! Both are unmistakable the minute you see her vibrant, colorful, playful works. Her style literally radiates with happiness and exuberance, which she credits to her daily practice of gratitude. We’re excited to bring Lori’s joyful artwork to Pink Magazine’s cover for the third time—we just can’t get enough!
As a child, Lori loved drawing so much she did it nearly every day. “You could find me huddled over a sketchbook with colored pencils, pencil shavings, and crayons spread all around the table. I loved to pretend I worked for Hallmark and made cards for my family, complete with a logo on the back,” Lori said. However, after she lost her father at the tender age of 15, she decided to set aside her art as she pursued a more traditional and solid career as a teacher and counselor.
Later in life after a painful divorce, Lori turned to her art as a source for healing. “I wanted to keep gratitude front and center in my life even through the hard times, so I started a gratitude project I called, ‘100 Thank You’s.’ I made 100 paintings for 100 people who had a positive influence on my life, and then held a gallery show with all the art. Afterwards, I delivered the paintings to each person I was grateful for,” Lori explained. This idea proved to have wings, as an Australian independent filmmaker learned about the project through social media and flew to the U.S. to film a short documentary about it called “Gratitude Grows.” A few years later, the film aired on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday.
This gratitude project became the foundation for Lori’s art business, putting her on the path of creating art expressing her gratitude for the world. Today, Lori lives in Asheville, N.C., with her newer husband and two adorable matching black cats. She takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains enjoyings hiking, biking, and outdoor living for fun and inspiration. Her art has bloomed into a stunning line of art prints, stationery, gifts, and home decor carried in shops all over the world. Lori’s studio is located in RAD Rendezvous in the River Arts District. It’s open to the public and the place to experience Lori’s vibe, as well as 40-plus other artists—a true reflection of the vibrant, resilient Asheville art community.
This month’s cover art She Listens to the Song in Her Heart is part of Lori’s artwork series which features ladies who are filled with power and joy, taking up space, grounded and true. “All the birds singing around her remind Lori of the good she puts out into the world. May we stand with our heads held high, clear in knowing that who we are is enough,” said Lori. A powerful statement—one Pink wholeheartedly aligns with: What an inspiration!
Lori’s colorful originals, prints, card sets, postcards, greeting cards, and much more fun can be found on her website: www.loriportka.com. She loves to connect with customers: Text her at 315-491-6488, and keep up with her newest works on Facebook @LoriPortkaArt and Instagram @LoriPortkaArt.