Introduction to Plein Air – Let’s get out there!

I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. And it has always brought me a sense of satisfaction and joy.

My paintings are not difficult to understand; they are merely an exploration of that which brings me joy, and makes my heart skip a beat. That is the experience I wish to share with those who view my paintings – to stir the imagination and quicken the spirit, and transport to a wild and interesting place.

The single most compelling aspect of art making for me is creating the illusion of light with mere paint. It is always a challenge and is always engaging. That alchemy for me is pretty heady stuff.

In addition to painting, I enjoy a lovely connection with those looking to shorten their learning curve by studying with me. Turns out I really enjoy sharing my passion, and love to take students on my plein-air adventures in particular. Check out my workshops page if that is something that sounds appealing to you.

Whether you are here to look at paintings or to find out more about workshops, welcome. Thank you so much for your interest!

My work is simply an expression and a diary of my impressions of those elements in the visual field that bring me joy.

I seek to create a sense of authenticity in my representational paintings and lend my voice to creating awareness and appreciation of our natural world. My fond hope is to transport the viewer to beautiful wild places that I have been privileged to experience and to share my joy of rendering light, atmosphere and my sense of delight in the world around me. And to be able do all this with mere paint – to accomplish that makes me the most fulfilled of all people.

Lorraine is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and the 2022/2023 Vice President and Newsletter Director. She is also a signature member of the Rocky Mountain National Watercolor Society, American Women Artists, the Colorado Watercolor Society, and the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society. Lorraine’s paintings have been juried into many national and international exhibitions.

Lorraine is an award-winning artist focusing on waterscapes, wildlife, and reflective objects. She has worked with watercolor for more than 28 years and is in her 14th year of teaching watercolor classes and workshops. Lorraine’s watercolor YouTube channel has over 25,000 subscribers. Her “Watercolor Techniques for Beginners” video has over a million views.

Lorraine’s paintings are a part of many private and corporate collections. In 2022, Lorraine’s painting, “Coral Chorus Line” was juried into the 155th American Watercolor Society Exhibition and her painting, “Feather’s and Brass” was selected for the 2022 Fabriano in Aquarello Exhibition in Fabriano, Italy. Lorraine’s painting, “Spa Day” was awarded Best in Show at the 2021 Pikes Peak International Watermedia Exhibition. Her painting of flamingos, “Coral Chorus Line”, juried into the 2021 Birds in Art Exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Lorraine’s paintings are published in the Best of Watercolor series – Splash 14, 20, and 23. Lorraine was filmed as a featured artist by “Colour in Your Life”, an Australian art TV show, in 2018. In 2015, Lorraine’s painting, ‘Sonata for Horns’ was juried into the prestigious, international exhibition – the Shenzhen Biennial in China.

Her paintings are winners of prestigious awards from the National Watercolor Society and other juried exhibitions including Rocky Mountain National, Watercolor West, San Diego Watercolor Society and the Transparent Watercolor Society. Lorraine’s painting, “Tadpole Takeout”, won 2nd place in the International Artists Magazine, ‘Wildlife’ competition, and is published in the Oct/Nov 2018 issue. She has also received recognition from art publications including – International Artist Magazine, The Artist Magazine, & Pratique des Arts.