About
Randi Ford is a landscape painter who is inspired by the beauty, life and spirit that exists within nature. It is her goal to capture the energy and life within the landscape through her flow paintings.
It is her purpose to bring awareness to nature and to bring beauty to others lives. It brings her joy to be able to meet others, and to have a sense of community and connection through her work.
Randi is a full-time painter capturing the essence of nature within her work. It is her goal to continue painting, and to travel in order to experience different landscapes and the life that exists throughout the world. Through her work she wants to spread the peace and love she feels when surrounded by nature to others.
After growing up in Sturgis, Michigan surrounded by nature, Randi now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan after graduating with her B.F.A in 2012 from Grand Valley State University studying illustration. It wasn't until she started creating paintings in nature along the shoreline that she was fully passionate about her work. The natural beauty of Lake Michigan and life within it's dunes evoked inspiration within her and inspired her to continue to explore new places.
Music and dance are big part of her life as well as painting. She often listens to music while creating her work and its influence can be visually seen in her pieces through their movement. Her paintings feel as if they are dancing and come to life with the patterns and rhythms she creates with her fluid strokes. Randi is calling her paintings "Flow Paintings" because of the meditative state she gets in while painting which causes her fluid strokes.
Randi's paintings strive to bring attention to the importance of nature and the life that exists outside of our human world. She hopes to positively influence others by bringing beauty, light, love and inspiration to others lives through her work, and to create a sense of connection.
Randi has taught 2D Design part-time as an Adjunct Professor at Grand Valley State University. She also has taught workshops at art centers.
You can listen to her interview with Brett Kane of 21st Century Vitalism where they talk about Randi's process, inspiration and story on Spotify, Podbean, and Apple Podcast.
CONNECT
I show my work at fine art festivals, and through galleries.
GALLERIES
Somebody's Gallery, Petoskey, MI
Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI
To view her work in person please make an appointment with her directly, visit the galleries, or attend a festival.
EVENTS
Paint Grand Traverse - Crooked Tree Arts 2020
AWARDS
2019
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Award
Waterfront Invitational Art Fair - Saugatuck Douglas Art Club
2018
Cora Bliss Taylor Award
Waterfront Invitation Art Fair - Saugatuck Douglas Art Club
Best Artist Under 30
The 7th Annual Plein Air Salon - December/January Awards - The Plein Air Magazine
2017
Honorable Mention
West Michigan Art Competition - Lowell Arts!
2015
Best in Show
Traverse City's Outdoor Art Fair - Crooked Tree Arts
James Boyce Family Award
Waterfront Invitation Art Fair - Saugatuck Douglas Art Club
Best Customer Service
UICA Holiday Arts Fair
2014
Mayor's Award
Waterfront invitational Art Fair -Saugatuck Douglas Art Club
2013
Best in Show Award
Art on the Riverfront Fine Arts Show - Gallery Uptown
Poster Contest Award
Art on the Riverfront Fine Arts Show - Gallery Uptown
2012
Merit Award
The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration
Honorable Mention
Ad Campaign - Associated Collegiate Press Advertising Awards
1st, 2nd and 3rd place
Single Ad Award - Michigan Press Association
PUBLICATIONS
2019
Harbor Country Magazine
Revue: Arts Issue
2018
VoyageATL
Plein Air Magazine
The American Scholar
Southwestern Art Magazine
2012
The Magazine for Contemporary Illustration
LIVE PAINTING
Bassnectar Freakstyle Sessions
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI
- 2019
Papadosio
Magic Stick - Detroit, MI - 2019
Sacred Vibrations Music Festival
Michigan, 2018