Hello, my name is Lorraine Huber and thanks to the encouragement of a friend, I'd like to share a little of my story with you.
I believe that my abstract paintings today are a part of an expression of the real me, they come from within. They are part of an emotional and spiritual journey that started quite a while ago (I'll keep you guessing as to how long!).
Early Childhood - Aberdeen and Beyond
My Mum and Dad are both Aberdonians, and I was born in Aberdeen, living in Torry, old Aberdeen, until my Dad transferred with his job to Birmingham, when I was a toddler. We lived there until I was seven.
Inner Visions
I have fantastic memories of my early years, and as far back as the age of two I remember I wanted to draw and paint and was never happier than being surrounded by paper, pencils, and paint. I loved to draw people and use very bright colours.
I remember spending hours happily painting, or making collages out of all sorts of bits of card and materials my Mum would save for me. It is strange this creative artistic urge! None of my family on either side were at all artistic. My Mum encouraged me though, recognising that I had this innate gift, and just happy that it made me happy.
I vividly recall my primary school teacher Mrs White, a lovely lady, also encouraging me, artistically. She persuaded me to enter the National School's Painting Competition.
Lightness of Being
I was so excited to have won in my age group, and this meant a trip on the train, all the way up to London to the Trafalgar Square Gallery, to see my work hanging there, along with the other winners. At the age of seven, the event is indelibly printed on my memory. There was so much fuss, important looking people all dressed up; photographers taking photos. The memory of seeing tears in my Mum's eyes, and Dad proud too, but in a more Aberdonian reserved way!
The highlight for me though was that one of the prizes was winning my Raleigh Bike. I had it for years afterwards and it gave me loads of fun. I was quite a tomboy then.
Teens and Beyond in Kent and Sussex
When I was seven, we moved again as a family, to Kent, where I spent my life, until my mid twenties.
Painting was in me and I continued to be creative all through my school years, being put forward by my secondary school teachers, for all sorts of exhibitions and awards (although in my teens I was very shy and tried to resist as I didn't like the limelight). Most of my teens were taken up with more normal distractions, loud rock music, concerts, fashion and boyfriends!
However, I survived my teens relatively unscathed, & I went to college in Eastbourne, Sussex, and studied fine arts, painting sculpture & ceramics. What I really discovered from this diverse experience, was just how fantastic it was to discover other artists and their inspiration; also I developed a great love of working with clay. I just found it so fantastic getting my hands in it and making some weird 3D sculpture; that set me off on a different way of looking at things, in the round.
Many years later, I used these experiences in establishing The Loft Pottery & Gallery in 1994. The intervening period had its highs and lows.
After college - the poor student desperately trying to hold onto some creative urges - rude awakening: I had to eat (sad but true!)
Fragmentation
What followed were several years in the real world as my Dad says, doing a series of jobs; to which I wasn't really suited, but it paid the rent. In between I studied a theology diploma (weird!) and that set me off in another direction, working in the community in caring jobs, which I found challenging, frustrating at times, but rewarding. Inside though, my creativity was being stifled, either because of life itself just the business!
In my late twenties I started to paint again, then it just flowed, my early confidence returned, as I painted nearly every day, selling my work in small galleries and through commissions. My work at that time was mainly representational, landscapes and figurative drawings, in watercolour and pen & ink. I wasn't working as an artist full time then, not for quite a few years later, until a turning point came. Life is full of surprises!
Twists and Turns
The wake up call for me in my journey, came firstly around thirty, then again in my late thirties. I experienced something which was totally out of my control; I had two serious illnesses which almost brought me to the point of death. I am happy to say that it wasn't my time and for whatever reason, I'm still here! (I feel a Woody Allen joke coming on, no perhaps not!)
The experience of going through a lot of pain, suffering and loss, and facing my own mortality changed me, I hope for the better. I don't want to sound preachy here, but I found that I discovered how precious life really is, and what pleasure there is in the love of those you love and simple things like a walk in the woods with the dogs, all the ordinary, lovely things I took for granted. I also realised I needed to be true to myself and use what I believe is the gift I have been born with, to paint & create and hopefully to share with and encourage others.
Today the Journey Continues in Scotland I have been living near Edinburgh for almost twenty years. I am now fulfilling my dream as a full time Abstract Artist, working from my small studio, exhibiting and selling my work worldwide. I have had many solo and collaborative exhibitions throughout the UK. I also undertake commission work.
I just love to paint, now I just can't stop, it is as if a tap has been turned on inside me, or perhaps that I feel I have been given the permission I needed to just be me, rather than what I perceived I had to be!
Rhythm
It helps me tremendously to have the encouragement of my loving, supportive husband, who knows how to handle my artistic temperament and give me a reality check when I need it!
My works today are a far cry from the early representational work, they are far more liberated, more fluid, largely abstract expressionist in style. I work mainly in acrylics and mixed media on canvas, board or paper. I love using acrylics as they dry quickly and this suits my spontaneous (impatient) working methods. I work on several pieces of works at a time often putting a canvas away, then coming back to it with fresh eyes to put the finishing brushstrokes. That's often the hard part for me; when is a work complete?
Sound Your Yawp
Today, I'm continually thrilled to explore the beauty of colour, for its own sake and shape and texture to express complex emotions. I am trying to express what is inside me; my own emotions, and thoughts, my own spirituality if you like.
I hope you'd like to look at my works on my abstractloft website and that you will feel some of the excitement and mystery I do. I don't have all the answers, just trying to ask some of the questions. The one thought I would like to pass on is this - follow your dream!
Cosmos
Thank you for taking this journey with me, perhaps you know me a little better now. I'd be happy to hear from you, you may contact me via my email or leave your comments in my guestbook on artistnetwork.
Best Wishes & Follow Your Dream!
Lorraine Huber
www.abstractloft.comemail abstractloft@blueyonder.co.uk
