Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine Kelly grew up in London, Ontario, where she worked as a research lab technician. Presently, she works from her home studio in Niagara on the Lake.

Her work was influenced while living 13 years in England, 2 years in the USA and 8 years in Singapore. As a result of living abroad, Lorraine became a self-taught artist. From Chinese Brush painting to pastel workshops and an etching course, Lorraine developed her painting style. The biggest influence would be attending a Georgia O’Keefe workshop in New Mexico.

Kelly is a published artist in both, Arabella Magazine, 2022 and in the NOTL Arts Collective magazine 2022. She won Best in Show in "Niagara Nights of Art". She is an accomplished presenter, as well as a teacher of painting techniques. She has presented at different venues such as Burlington Probus, University Women's Club, Parkway Artists Guild and senior residences. Her slide show presentation is called "Paint where You Live- how Environment influences artist style and Technique”. Her video, which was filmed during her solo show at the Pumphouse, “Beyond the Blue”, is still available to watch on YouTube.

Lorraine has worked and exhibited in England, the USA and Canada. She has had solo exhibitions and been involved in many group shows. She has taught in England, Singapore and in the Niagara area.
She is an active member of the Parkway Artists Guild, The Niagara Pumphouse and the NOTL Arts Collective. Presently her work is carried by Artspace106 and her home studio gallery.

We all have our own views and reference photos to inspire us. Many are common to all artists, but it is up to each artist to shape them and make them their own.

When I start a new painting, I envision the colours I want to see in my finished work. I loosen up by starting off with an underpainting, then add mark making in pencil or acrylic.

While painting, I often ask myself “What made me want to paint this scene in the first place?”. I try to keep this thought constantly with me throughout the process. Memories, and in some cases, photos are only stepping stones to my representational florals and landscapes. I try to convey the magic moment I had when I was looking at my subject. It could have only been a vase with one flower, throwing an intricate shadow on a table, but for me, it is something very special.

I find working on a large canvas very liberating, is it the size of the canvas that influences me or is it the freedom of colour choice, hence my florals are colourful and joyous.

I am lucky enough to live close to lakes, rivers, woodlands and hiking trails, so at this time, my work consists mostly of paintings of my “neighbourhood”. Although after saying this, I enjoy the challenge of painting from my memories or even more challenging, painting from the memories of my clients, my art collectors.