Lorraine Harrison is a self-taught acrylic painter who began her artistic journey after a major life change.
Originally from South Africa, she moved to Canada with her family in 2021, leaving behind loved ones and a successful career in law and corporate governance. Working closely with professionals from various industries during that time, her career was structured and demanding, which made her eventual transition to art both unexpected and transformative.
In August 2022, Lorraine was gifted an acrylic paint set. She began exploring painting in October of that year, finding a new form of expression through art. Though the beginning was gradual, it marked a significant shift for her as she transitioned from a world of logic and order to one of creativity and self-expression.
Lorraine's artistic practice is deeply personal, reflecting the emotions and experiences that have shaped her life. In 2023, the sudden passing of her father had a profound impact on her work. Art became her sanctuary, a place to process grief, mourn, and find solace. This pivotal moment in her artistic journey solidified her desire to explore emotions in her paintings.
Primarily working with acrylic on canvas, Lorraine’s style leans towards realistic subjects. Birds have been a recurring theme in her work, as she’s drawn to their symbolic representation of freedom and resilience. However, she continually experiments with new subjects, allowing her artistic process to evolve organically.
Lorraine’s current work is driven by a desire to merge realism with abstraction. Her focus is on balancing these two elements while continuing to explore the emotional depths of her experiences. Her paintings are as much about the process of discovery as they are about the final product.
Through her art, Lorraine is not only expressing her personal journey but also embracing the therapeutic and transformative power of creativity. Though her path to art may have been unconventional, it has become a vital part of her life, one she continues to explore with curiosity and passion.
Lorraine lives and works in British Columbia, Canada, where she continues to develop her art and push the boundaries of her self-taught practice.