Rising Stars: Meet Dori Bergman of Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dori Bergman.

Dori, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I feel the most alive when I am creating. I’m a self-taught artist, painting for galleries, retailers and individual clients. My use of bright colors and smooth lines bring my creations to life in both vivid and subtle detail. I paint about women and girls in the outdoors with a focus on mental health. My background is in Wilderness Therapy (B.A.) and Outdoor Education (M.A.). I’m currently working on my first children’s book, Offline, where a young girl learns the value of leaving her phone behind and immersing herself in nature. Each illustration is done by hand with oil paints on canvas paper. I live in Boulder, Colorado with my fiancé and our dog Tator Tot.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
About 5 years ago, I started experiencing pain on the right side of my back while painting. I went to an orthopedic doctor, a spine doctor, a chiropractor, and nearly 10 physical therapists. Everyone assumed it was an overuse injury, because I paint with my right arm for many hours every day. So I became dedicated to stretching, strengthening, and all kinds of physical therapy exercises. I even took a long break from painting. Yet still, my pain persisted. Over the past year, I spent every day and night in chronic pain. Finally I was directed to a rheumatologist, who diagnosed me with an autoimmune disease called ankylosing spondylitis. This is an inflammatory disorder where my immune system mistakenly attacks my spine and other joints. Although painting did not cause this, I believe the overuse activity acted as a trigger. I have now started treatment for AS and I hope to return to painting soon.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My paintings depict an emotional landscape along with a physical one. I like to tell stories through art and inspire more women to get outside.

You can learn more about me on my website, myoutdoorart.com, and see more of my paintings and outdoor adventures on Instagram @myoutdoorart.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The Mel Robbins Podcast, We Can Do Hard Things, On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Pricing:

• Original Oil Paintings (price varies)
• Giclée Prints ($65 mini canvas print, $130 paper print, $285 canvas print)
• Yoga Mats ($137)
• Coloring Books ($14.95)
• Greeting Cards & Stickers ($3.95)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myoutdoorart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myoutdoorart/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dori-bergman-6b4873205/