“You’ll never know unless you try.”
That’s what my Momma always told me when I was unsure of something I wanted to do. She always encouraged me to pursue what I felt strongly about, and that included writing. The only reason I haven’t tried publishing anything is that I never wanted to enter the game. Writing is a big business just like anything else and everyone wants a big bite of your business. Contracts, book deals and endless promoting of your stuff to everyone you know.
I spent the better part of my life selling for Corporations and promoting luxury goods, so I woke up with a number over my head for years. I used to always say to my Mom; “Some day, I’m gonna wake up without a number hanging over me!” That day finally came. I no longer want to “produce” revenue for any big businesses, so I share my stories here for free to anyone interested enough to read them. I pay a yearly subscription just to enjoy writing for those that love RV life, travel, art, heartwarming stories, and my humor served up with a side of sarcasm (my trademark!)
Making money is a necessity for everyone to live, but I have a hard time dealing with demands and deadlines that fit someone else’s agenda, so I march to my own drum these days. I do things for the pure joy of it without restrictions, and to earn some spare change during my retirement.
So just like my writing, my art never made it into any Art Galleries because I didn’t want to hike up my price for someone to take 50 – 60% of my money and tell me how many pieces of art I need to produce with a shipping deadline for their next show. (I know people doing it and it can be exhausting and stressful!) Your work is also at the mercy of a curator who may not deem your work acceptable for the gallery. So I continue to paint for my enjoyment and I sell a few of my artworks when someone says they would love to have a piece. It’s an enjoyable hobby with no contracts and sold without a gallery mark up, all for the love of creating something new and different.
I have finally stepped into the technological generation and can accept payments electronically for my art. It has been requested several times in the past, so I am willing to give it a try for my customer’s convenience. I will post my new artworks here in my blogs and tell you the stories behind the creation. It is always the story behind the art that is the attraction to it for me. It is that “something in common” or a relatable experience that creates the desire to own art or gift it to someone you care about.
I have added LT Gallery to the Menu at the header of my page for you to view some of my unique artworks and to make purchases when something tugs at your creative side. There is a PayPal button once you make your selection and enter quantity, but you must retain the number of the artwork and the quantity before clicking on the “Shipping Info” page. Shipping will be entered on the “Contact us” page that comes directly to me. You will need to provide the art print #, the quantity and your “ship to” address information. It’s important to note that I am not stocking all prints shown in my Gallery sight, so once I get an order for one, I will place the order with my vendor, and upon receipt- expedite it to you. Please allow approximately 2 weeks for delivery, but the Christmas series will be stocked and a quicker turnaround.
It is super simple and self explanatory once you click on LT gallery at the top of the page. You can contact me by commenting here if you just have any questions. Shipping is estimated at $15 – $20+ and I am assuming that cost and giving you FREE SHIPPING.
I will introduce my Christmas series of 8 new prints very soon. I already have 11 x 14 prints available for several of them and working on getting more. They are signed and numbered and professionally packaged. I may sell some original paintings if there is any interest. My rate is $2.00 per sq inch for originals and nothing is more than $200.
Once you own a print you can customize it for much less than I could have with a colored matte of your choosing and a frame for your décor. For an 11 x 14 print, I recommend purchasing a 16 x 20 frame if you want it matted. I will eventually have 8 x 10 prints (if there is a demand for them- leave a comment if you want one) and they would require an 11 x 14 frame if matting is desired. Matting is a beautiful way to personalize your print for any room in your house, but not a necessity. A great frame is all that’s needed to complement your style. I pick up great frames at garage sales when I need one for a fraction of the cost.
The artwork pictured below was a best seller and I am going to be offering prints of it once more, as it will make a great gift for the wine lovers out there with the holiday just around the corner! This was the first painting that I never sold the original- only prints.
It was displayed in a resort clubhouse for two years. When we moved into our house in 2020, I got it back from the resort and I couldn’t bring myself to part with it. It has found a home on our dining area wall.
The story behind it: A friend of mine, and true follower since day one, asked me once if I ever did anything featuring wine. We had met in Key West and I was known for my rooster artworks by many people. They called me the “Shell lady” or the “Painter of Shells” (which you have heard here before- the title of my unpublished book.) I told my friend I would let her know if I ever did something with wine. I ended up creating three wine and grapes artworks just for her, but I continued with the series due to demand.
White Wine & Grapes #56
“I was lucky enough to acquire three of Lorraine’s beautiful shell artworks of wine bottles, grapes and glass. One was for me, one for my daughter, and one for my daughter-in-law. We ALL love them! Beautiful and meticulous creations.”
Evelyn Webb, NC
Six Wheels Down 