Introducing the Creative Lorimer O’bree
16 February 2024
There’s something incredibly exciting happening on the outside of my play therapy room wall in Howick…
And I am delighted to introduce you to the artist who is making it happen! Lori is a person with a brilliant mix of creativity, administrative skills and sporting prowess. She’s working in sports and marketing at the moment, but ultimately hopes to become a teacher one day.
I asked Lori what her preferred age range to teach would be and she had such a hard time pinning any one age group down! I think that the bottom line is, Lori has a gift for teaching and with her versatile strengths will work with a range of kids her whole life.
How did Lori come to be painting my wall?
Lori is marrying a lovely man called Shaun in early April this year. Shaun and Lori put out an ad on Facebook showcasing their skills and how they are using these to raise funds to pay for their wedding. Her mural work caught my eye, we started a conversation and our mural painting adventure began! (My contribution to this adventure being cups of tea and coffee!!)
The lovely thing about a mural, and particularly what Lori’s doing with my mural, is each piece is a work in itself and so we can continue adding to it for months to come. Endless possibilities! And, I love seeing Lori’s delight in the process too.
Lori getting a bit of “help” from a local.
Lori’s story of mural painting
Lori shared a little about her journey with painting in general and murals in particular. She took art in school but mostly stuck to drawing on paper with graphite. She painted on canvas when she absolutely had to. Painting felt intimidating to her, putting something on canvas felt so permanent as opposed to drawing where if you messed up, you could scrunch up the paper and start again.
About 3 years ago a friend shared a word from God that she would be doing mural paintings. Lori wasn’t ready to take this on board at the time! However, later on, when she experienced a hunger for creativity, she started painting more and more, practising and honing her skills. When she and Shaun got engaged, they were thinking of ways to earn more money and “murals” just kept coming back to her. And then I got in touch with her and now here she is doing an amazing job! Lori shares that it has been fun and peaceful doing the mural (in spite of some very hot weather and some bleak and rainy weather…)
Spoiler Alert!!
A peak into how it’s looking…
I’m completely in love with this little guy, he’s so cute!
Just about every child I work with tells me a Cheetah is their favourite animal. I love his emerging character. Lori’s attention to detail is amazing!
Lori and Shaun are a really peaceful, creative duo. Lori has listened to what I want, but has also come with ideas and fresh vision, which I truly appreciate. I highly recommend hiring them for a photoshoot, or commission Lori for a unique artwork. Besides their talents, I completely believe in them as a couple and if you hire them, you’re making an investment in an incredible, forever relationship!
A glorious and joyous self-portait!
You can contact Lori on [email protected].
Don’t forget!!
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