About
Hi,
I'm Lorraine, a 50 something cervical cancer survivor, now full-time painter. I paint in luscious oils, a colour rich record of the privilege that is life.
Through artwork, I want to encourage people to take a moment to appreciate life. Our family, our friends, nature which surrounds us and to encourage gratitude and bring joy into people's lives.
Being born in the 60’s the traditional path for girls was to get married and have children. Frustrated with that expectation, I spent a lot of time in my bedroom, drawing. In my teens, I painted a portrait at school and people around me said I had natural talent which encouraged me to keep trying.
I yearned for life to be more than mundane.
Fast forward a few years, family circumstances meant I had to get a job and I did indeed get married and have three fabulous kids. My love for art was put on the back burner, but never fizzled out.
In my early 40's I was diagnosed with cancer. A huge shock. The diagnosis wasn't good and I honestly didn't think I'd make it. Luckily, after chemo and radiotherapy, I did!
Being given a second chance, I decided to ditch my day job and return to my love of painting.
My brush (no pun intended) with the big 'C', taught me to appreciate time above everything else. Not to waste time and not to be defined by other people's expectations. If you have a passion, why wait? Tomorrow is not a given, so live for today and, in Shakespeare's words "This, above all, to thine own self, be true."
My work is inspired by master painters - Sorolla, John Singer Sargent and modern day painters Vladimir Volegov and Daniel Gerhartz. All painting scenes of 'life' and incredibly skillful with their capture of light and colour.
10% of all my sales go to a cancer charity which promotes awareness of and advises on, both male and female cancers.
I will be eternally grateful for the chance to live long enough to paint professionally and to give back to a cancer charity which helps people navigate and survive this dreadful disease.
With love,
Lorraine
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