As an artist, Harshaw is celebrated for her skillful blend of mixed media and portraiture. Her work is characterized by its vibrant colors and rich layers, which give her portraits a profound sense of personality and warmth. Her process often begins with creating a textured foundation using acrylic monoprints, an energetic technique that ensures no two backgrounds are the same. She then builds upon this foundation with a combination of her preferred media, including chalk pastels, acrylic paint, ink, and graphite, adding intricate details and depth. This layered approach not only creates visually dynamic compositions but also mirrors the complex, multifaceted nature of the stories and individuals she portrays. Her art explores traditional subjects with innovative techniques, inviting viewers to relate to the images and create their own stories from what they see.

In her role as an Artist-in-Education (AIE) program participant, Loni Harshaw’s central teaching philosophy is to foster art literacy in students of all backgrounds. Her main goal is to empower young artists to express themselves authentically and to develop the critical language to discuss their work, both orally and in writing. Her residency curriculum is thoughtfully designed to guide students through a process of self-discovery and artistic development. Through elements of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), empathetic and aesthetic reflective writings, and structured artistic practices, she helps students connect their internal emotional landscape to external observation. By encouraging them to look deeply at their own work and the world around them, she provides a framework for interpreting and creating art that is meaningful and deeply personal. During her residency, students will not only learn various techniques but will also gain the skills to become thoughtful storytellers, using color, texture, and composition to communicate complex emotions and ideas. Harshaw’s residency is more than an art class; it is an incubator for developing empathetic, articulate, and creatively confident individuals.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Loni Harshaw is a prominent visual artist and a dedicated educator whose profound work is deeply intertwined with her personal journey and passion for social justice. Her academic background is marked by a B.S. in Visual Arts Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2009 and an M.S.E. from Arkansas State University-Jonesboro in 2012, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of both artistic practice and pedagogical theory. With a distinguished 15-year career as a visual art teacher, including four years as a department chair, she has cultivated an inspiring environment for countless students to explore their creative voices. Harshaw's dedication extends beyond the classroom; she is an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including the National Art Education Association, Arkansas Art Education Association, Arkansas Educators Association, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women, and Order of Eastern Star. Her affiliations reflect a commitment to her craft, her community, and the broader arts landscape.

Harshaw's first solo art exhibit, Storytelling Through the Arts: Banned Books & Beyond, was a powerful statement that brilliantly merged her love for art and literature. Presented at Hearne Fine Arts in Little Rock, the series tackled the controversial and escalating issue of book banning. In a manner that is both beautiful and unsettling, Harshaw used striking mixed-media portraits to depict authors whose works have been challenged or censored. She intentionally created the pieces to make viewers "confused, concerned, and frustrated," a reaction designed to compel them to engage with the subject matter. By including recognizable and sometimes less-known images and titles, she hoped to spark curiosity, encouraging people to "Google who the author is" and discover the stories they weren't meant to talk about, but should. This body of work is a testament to her belief that art is not merely for passive aesthetic appreciation but is a vital tool for sparking dialogue and preserving important narratives, particularly those that have been marginalized or suppressed.