"Lorraine Skala"
Watercolor Artist
About the Artist
My name is Lorraine Skala, and I am a watercolor artist based in Brevard, North Carolina. My husband, Jim, and I spend nine months in Brevard and three months in a little log cabin (complete with art studio) on a small island in McGregor Bay, Ontario. Yes, we are the only two people who live on this island; however, we are blessed with visits from dear family and friends. We are both from Michigan, but started spending winters in North Carolina after the birth of our grandson, Spencer (who is now 10).
I have two wonderful daughters -- Kim and Gwen, who have blessed me with three amazing grandchildren -- Spencer (10 years old), Maya Lorraine (5), and Will (7 months). Gwen is a physical therapist in Plymouth, Michigan and works with people who are paralyzed from the neck down. Kim is the creator and owner of Earthshine Mountain Lodge in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, and she also owns and operates a shop called “Hunters and Gatherers” on Main Street in downtown Brevard. That is one of the places where you will find my art for sale.
I started watercolor painting ten years ago when I retired. By the grace of God, I found painting to be my path to contentment and freedom of spirit. To me, art is truly magical and has the power to transform the human existence. The process of creating a painting is a very energizing experience, and I work and rework a piece until it “feels” right.
I find great joy in painting things that are near and dear to my heart. I love wildlife, especially wolves. I am fascinated with their social structure, their wisdom and their family devotion. I am drawn particularly to the eyes -- the eyes tell you so much. In my paintings, I strive to convey emotions through the eyes.
I taught watercolor art to the residents at The Brian Center, a nursing home here in Brevard, for three winters. This endeavor was one of my most rewarding art challenges so far, and it made me realize that possibly God had given me a “gift” for teaching art. I now have my own studio, and I offer private lessons. One of the things I have learned is that art can be used as a very encouraging form of therapy. It is a hobby you can plunge right into immediately with no former training, not a bunch of expensive supplies, and one that you can do alone or with others, indoors or out. I work both with children and adults.
If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, lonely, trying to break an addictive behavior or just feeling that life is a little empty, I encourage that person to call me. You can just show up with nothing, and I can introduce you to watercolor art. It just might change your life! It changed mine!
Painting, gardening, Grandmothering and kayaking are my passions. All four of these hobbies have made me so much more aware of my surroundings. I know in my memory every little dimple on my grandchildrens’ faces. Before I can paint a flower, I need to understand exactly how God put that flower together. Being out there in my kayak gives me an opportunity to see all the beautiful things that God has bestowed upon this earth.
My dear husband, bless his heart, creates the most beautiful wooden frames you can imagine out of old, beautifully-restored oak, cherry, chestnut, walnut, weathered barn wood, or whatever he can get his hands on. My art (prints or originals when available) can be purchased matless, matted only, or matted and framed in one of his hand-crafted frames.
