The Marcia Reed Virtual Gallery

 

Editor's Introduction

                  "Lorraine Smith is The Better Drink's co-founder, Dr. Timothy Smith's grandmother. I have known her as long as I have known Tim...for many years, and during those many years I have had the great fortune of enjoying much of her art. I even have a few Lorraine originals in my collection at home...and everybody loves their hand-painted birthday cards from this artistic grandma. Her work is wimsical, honest, and touching. As someone who has seen much high-brow art there is an unmistakable freshness and sense of comfort that swells inside when one views her work. Lorriaine did not begin painting until her middle seventies, and I am both astonished and inspired by this: for things really aren't over until the fat lady sings. I believe her work and the spirit behind her work (she wept with pride and joy when we asked if we could show her work in the magazine) is everything this magazine is about. Lorraine truly is a Better Drinker...she still found adventure and growth in what for most is seen as the deep seat of winter...but for her with taking up the immense challange of painting she found a robust and fertile spring. And now at 89 Lorraine Smith will see her work in a one woman show that will be seen by thousands all over the world. I chose this issue, the Vacation Issue, to exhibit her work because it is my hope that during this time of warmth and liesure one will perhaps be inspired to take up a challange or discipline or hobby that perhaps one felt too old or too busy for. I implore you all (myself included) to view this show with a stirred heart and to both enjoy Lorraine's touching and inspired creations and to look into your own heart and ask what could be my lush, late season spring? I want to thank Dr. James Smith (Lorraine's son and Dr. Timothy Smith, our co-founder's father) for taking the photos of Lorraine's work. I also want to thank Timothy for arranging this show and interviewing his grandmother (interview and essay by Timothy below). And most of all I want to thank Loraine Smith for sharing with The Better Drink and the world her beautiful paintings that so symbolize her connection to life and her spirit. I found myself genuinely moved as I virtually 'strolled' through the gallery, and as both a painter and the editor of this magazine I can say that I felt a great sense of pride for having your work, Loraine, in my magazine. Again, many thanks. Enjoy the show."

 

Jennifer Barnick

 

           Lorraine Smith

         

         Lorraine Smith has been painting for the past 13 years or so. She is my grandmother on my dad’s side. In preparation for her show in the Marcial Reed Virtual Gallery I contacted her by phone and asked her a few questions about her art.

         Tim: How did you get into painting? Had you done other art before?

         Lorraine: No. They had this fellow on TV whom I admired very much named Bob Ross. His method of painting really interested me and I started learning from him. I still have the tapes that I recorded. He was an excellent teacher; he really reached my psyche. I recorded 32 tapes of his. He was such a nice man. He passed away very quickly. He must have had pancreatic cancer.

         Tim: That’s sad.

         Lorraine: I was just crushed. Sometimes I will re-watch some of his tapes, and when I do I get this great urge to paint. The other fellow I learned from was Bill Alexander, and he lives in Canada, but he wasn’t as well known as Bob Ross. I recorded some of Alexander’s shows and bought some of his books too. I also bought many of Bob Ross’ books. They were very good and not very expensive, but until you do it you really don’t know what he is talking about. Once I started I realized that I really loved it.

         Tim: You have a variety of subjects like people and animals. What would inspire you to pick certain subjects?

         Lorraine: Pictures and portraits. I don’t care much for portraiture because it takes so long. But I do some for family, and I always paint the eyes first so that they don’t come out cross-eyed. One going one-way one going the other [laughs].

         Tim: Did you do any other type of artwork before picking up painting?

         Lorraine: No, I only did knitting and crocheting

         Tim: Well, that’s very creative with the different patterns and forms you did.

         Lorraine: Do you think so?

         Tim: Yes.

         Lorraine Smith also made jewelry and took some very great photographs. She has been expressing herself in different mediums over the years. I also remember way back when she had small movie camera. My grandfather would groan that the only thing she really liked to film was the sky and clouds, whole reels of it. It would be nice to see some of that footage now to see what she saw then. Fortunately, we have her paintings. So please now check out her work (click here to get started). Timothy Smith

           For information regarding the purchasing or exhibition of Ms. Smith's work, or you just want to make a comment about this show please email us at The Better Drink (letters2editor@thebetterdrink.com ).

 

Instructions To View Art

           In order to view art hit the next link in below tool bar. To go backwards simply hit the previous link below in the tool bar. To leave the gallery hit the exit link in below tool bar. To go to the home page click home. Enjoy the show, and if you have any questions or problems regarding ease of viewing the show please contact us at webmaster@thebetterdrink.com. Click here to see the first painting .

 

 

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