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INTERVIEW WITH PORTRAIT ARTIST
Lorelle Bacon
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Lorelle Bacon is a largely self-taught artist who, as a child, started out with drawing.
INTERVIEWED BY
DENNIS RAY
When a car accident left her unable to continue her regular line of work, she focused full-time on her painting. Soon she started teaching art to children and then adults, which led her to being a full time artist and instructor. Her students have ranged from as young as 7 years to as old as 93.
Rapid River Magazine: Tell us a little about the classes you will be offering this summer.
Lorelle Bacon: I am teaching several classes at River's
Edge Studio in the River Arts District. Marvelous Mondays and Wonderful Weds.where students may learn or become more proficient any medium or subject. Twice a month all day watercolor classes and a 2 day workshop on “Backgrounds.” In addition I’m offering a three-day scratchboard workshop at OLLIE, two days at Florence Thomas Art School in South Jefferson, a mini workshop for Lake Toxaway Art Guild, and a Bali - The Offering, two-day workpainting by Lorelle Bacon shop in portrait drawing at Arrowhead Gallery in Old Fort. I also teach two open classes a week at the Red House Studios and Gallery in Black Mountain. These are all for beginners through advanced.
RRM: What is your philosophy on art? LB: I believe an artist should paint what touches their
heart, not what they think will sell. The finished piece will always be better. Next, not to try to copy how someone else paints but to develop their own style. Then you can truly call yourself an artist.
RRM: You can create a portrait for a client in oil,
graphite, watercolor, pastel, acrylics or scratchboard. Which media is your most requested?
LB: Many people request portraits in oils because they think it lasts longer, however if framed properly, any
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other medium will last just as long.
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RRM: Tell us a bit about your painting process.
LB: I enjoy meet-
ing the subject when possible, Pet portrait for Marion Esquival, however many painting by Lorelle Bacon. times the client has me do a portrait for a surprise gift, so I will then work from photos. This also allows me to do work for clients throughout the states and internationally. If from a photo, I sit with it and meditate to get a sense of the person before starting. If working in oils, I usually use many layers of glazing as it brings more realism to it. I also rely a lot on strong contrasts no matter the medium as it creates depth. The third thing I do before starting a preliminay sketch is to lay out the composition. Many clients have told me that the paintings look more real than the photos, or that I have captured the spirit of the subject. Nothing pleases me more!
RRM: You also do pet portraits. How did this came about?
LB: I actually started painting pet portraits first! I was
hesitant to attempt a portrait of a person.... Now I am known as a portrait painter! My first pet portrait was of a horse while I was attending a horse show and started to talking with a horse owner. Then I did paintings of several dogs and it just grew from there. Word of mouth has been very kind to me both from clients and students.
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RRM: Tell us a little about exhibits your work has been in?
LB: Currently I have two
scratchboard portraits that are in The International Society of Scratchboard Artist exhibit in Vancouver B.C. This is the 2nd year I have had work accepted and last year won an Award of Excellance. I also recently won second place with a scratchboard Aborigine, in Highlands, a Best of Show scratchboard portrait by Lorelle Bacon with one at Black Mountain Center for the Arts and a first place watercolor piece in an all watermedia exhibit at The Red House Studios and Gallery. It is nice to recieve accolades from my peers but I paint what makes me feel good.
Lorelle Bacon Fine Art (828) 595-6007 • www.lorellebacon.com
Homestyle Gastropub Fare 19 Beers on Tap Live Music Open 11-10 10-12 Bar Menu
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(828) 357-5656
207 West State Street Downtown Black Mountain www.thetrailheadrestaurant.com
Vol. 16, No. 11 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — July 2013 21