liridona duraku is an artist, herbalist and storyteller living in upstate new york.

Liri is a first generation Albanian American. She currently lives in the Hudson Valley and spends most of her time outdoors studying the local fauna. Liri received a BA from CUNY York in Journalism and Political Science but found herself working in mostly activist spaces. She has a professional background in the food industry, farming and hospitality. Recently she did further study as a special student at SUNY New Paltz studying art and psychology.

Liri is also an herbalist. As a child, herbal remedies and natural medicine was part of her upbringing, she often heard stories of women healers and even got to know a few. She blends her ancestral Balkan knowledge with the various herbal trainings she has done. She has studied with Vanessa Chakour of Sacred Warrior in Brooklyn and Scotland, Clinical Alchemy with Evolutionary Herbalism, Ayurveda with Tribe Yoga in Rishikesh, India, Astro-Herbalism with Judith Hill and Wild Gather in the Hudson Valley.

Liri has published fiction and non-fiction writing and shown work in small local galleries. Her work is primarily oil paintings, charcoal  and pastel drawings but recently has been playing in forms of ceramics and sculpture of various materials. She draws inspiration from her experience of diaspora, a child of (non-documented) immigrants fleeing war and ethnic cleansing. She brings in imagery, ritual and mysticism of Balkan culture and themes of plants, animals, folklore, myth and magic can be seen throughout her work.

You can find her paintings, ceramic work and herbal potions for sale on her website as well as at Pink Clementine in Kerhonkson, NY, Feast and Floret in Hudson, NY and Holding Space in Kingston, NY. Liri offers private reading and ritual sessions as well as custom aura paintings. Contact lirimeansfree@gmail.com for any other inquiries.