Captivated by the interplay between light and shadow, Lorraine Pichugin explores the drama of the everyday.
How would you describe what you do?
I play with ideas, thoughts and emotions through light and then use paint to express that. I love a good mystery and try, through my paintings, to capture that sense of drama. My work is quiet yet playful.
When and how did you first fall in love with art?
I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated by art. I have a vivid memory of, as a child of about eight, seeing a calendar filled with beautiful artworks produced by The Mouth & Foot Painting Artists (of Australia). I still remember the feeling I had as I realised these amazing works were painted by talented artists with such limited abilities. I loved tracing with my fingers the individual brush strokes made by these artists, in awe that they refused to be contained by seemingly insurmountable odds against them creating!
How long have you been practicing as an artist?
Over the years I have attended a few weekend workshops and learnt much from different artists in various mediums. It wasn’t until I attended a course with Marcel Desbiens in Brisbane about 15 years ago that I discovered oil paints. Although it was only a few hours one night a week, by the end of the six weeks I was in love with oils. Still, it wasn’t till around three years ago I moved to painting only with oils. It was during my double degree majoring in Fine Art and Visual Culture that I became frustrated with the way quick drying acrylics would not behave the way I wanted. My frustration led to me taking a year off from university to work on my relationship with acrylics (and to concentrate on some commission work). We never did become friends and one year off has now turned into three with no regrets.
What does a typical day in the studio involve?
First thing in the morning is setting up for the day and then I’m into the studio until I have a break for lunch, then I’m back at it until my hubby gets home from work. I just love my job! The interplay of light and shadows is my inspiration always. I’m constantly drawn to the way the light falls across something, it has a way of stopping me midstride and I often find myself holding my breath in awe. The gentle narrative given by this chance meeting is described so eloquently through the object caught in the middle. The mundane suddenly becomes beautiful as it emerges from the darkness. The shadows are no longer threatening and are a wonderful support act for this little interlude.
What have you been working on recently?
Currently I have been planning out works for a show coming up in late 2022. I’m a slow, methodical painter, using layers of colours and glazes to achieve the results I want, so allowing myself enough time is crucial. A little mantra of sorts I have in the studio goes something like this, “whether it took a long time or a short time….it doesn’t matter, you got there!” (Tolstoy), encouraging me along.