Meet Loralee, Artist of Loralee Fine Art
Loralee Nicolay
Artist
Loralee Fine Art
Born and raised in a small town in Utah, Loralee considered herself an “artist” since she was a very small child, and feels like all people are artists when they are young. After graduating from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design and Fine Art, she spent a few summers working in Jackson, Wyoming, and also for the Bureau of Land Management as a forest fire crew worker. Loralee spent 20 years in the design world, while also working as a professional artist/muralist, and teaching interior design and art at the university level. Since the birth of her three children, she has focused primarily on motherhood and her fine art career.
Tell us about yourself and your path to becoming an artist.
I was born and raised in a small town in Utah and attended Utah State University where I got my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design and Fine Art. I spent a few summers working in Jackson, Wyoming, and also for the Bureau of Land Management as a forest fire crew worker. I spent 20 years in the design world, while also working as a professional artist/muralist, and teaching interior design and art at the university level.
After my three children were born, I focused mainly on motherhood and my fine art career. I have considered myself an “artist” since I was a very small child, and feel like all people are artists when they are young. I just worked hard to remain an artist as an adult!
Aside from technical training and constant practice, the real secret is allowing yourself to be vulnerable when it comes to being an artist.
What kind of impact do you want your paintings to have?
I remember a compliment I received 20 years ago. It was, “Loralee, you make the world more beautiful wherever you go.” That was the nicest thing anyone could have said to me, and it has remained my goal with my art to keep that statement true. I want to create beauty and light for spaces. I’ve never been interested in painting dark or macabre themes, although I recognize its place in the art world. Art has been my healing. The process of painting is generally more important to me than the final product, especially with my abstract pieces.
For most of my life I painted more realistic subject matter, but I started experimenting with abstract art from the advice of my therapist who was treating me for PTSD. It was a very critical aspect of my healing. Then, in 2019, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and spent the entire year in chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. Again, art was my solace.
The powerful healing energy from art is the greatest impact I would love my art to have for everyone.
Where does your inspiration for painting mushrooms come from?
Originally, it came from my 11 year old son, who dreams of becoming a botanist one day. He loves mushrooms especially, and was even a mushroom for Halloween. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I went on a deep dive into nutrition and discovered the amazing properties of mushrooms in healing cancer cells. I eat a blend of 15 mushrooms everyday that have been shown to be like a natural chemotherapy.
After college, I moved to Germany to be a nanny for a royal family. I lived in a castle and we would go foraging for mushrooms in the forest. I quickly learned which ones were not meant for our dinner and which ones to stay away from! This mushroom thread has woven itself throughout my life.
At my last art show, a customer asked if my paintings were inspired by a mushroom trip, because, as they confessed to me, my art looked like their “hero’s journey.” I told them the only mushrooms I eat are the non-psychedelic variety, but I must be channeling some sort of energy with my art! That was quite hilarious to me and gave me a good laugh! I am glad that scientists are studying the amazing effects of all types of mushrooms and I think they will play a bigger role in healing mental and physical challenges in the future.
How do you spend your time when you aren’t creating art?
As a mother of three children ages 11, 8, and 6, most of my time is with them. We love being creative together, having dance parties, going for walks, swimming, and just enjoying each other’s company. I also am a singer/songwriter, and play the guitar.
My husband and I are also fixing up our home built in the 1950’s and doing most of the work ourselves. This spring, we’ve focused on our lawn and garden. My husband is a bee-keeper and we are filling our property with bee-friendly plants that will feed them all year long.
I’ve worn my Squeeze pants almost everyday while working in the garden and they are the best! The dirt wipes right off and I love how flexible they are.
What has your experience been with workwear for both painting and forest fire crew work?
During the summers between my university studies, I worked on the crew fighting forest fires. I was one of only 4 women on the entire crew and was issued pants and shirts that were designed for men, and they were awful. I’m only 5’4” and nothing fit me right, and the crotch went down to my knees. The fabric was extremely hot, stiff, and uncomfortable.
As a painter, it is a similar story. I haven’t found painter's clothes that are designed for women. I tend to paint very large-scale paintings, and also paint large murals in residential and commercial areas. I spend a lot of time climbing up on ladders or on my hands and knees painting large canvases on the floor. Finding durable clothes that fit my needs has been hard. I have ruined almost everything I own with paint.
That said, I have been quite careful when wearing the Squeeze pants while painting because I haven’t wanted to ruin them! I wear them seriously 5 days a week (or more!) Not just for painting, of course, but I just choose them when I wake up in the morning, no matter what I’ve got planned for the day.
I know they are meant to be intended for workwear, but they are so comfortable, it doesn’t matter if I’m not working. It seems like the new “mom” uniform is yoga pants, but I would choose the Squeeze pants over yoga pants because they don’t look like you are wearing pajamas. I love the contrasting zipper and all the pockets, and the fabric is just awesome. They feel like yoga pants, but are much more functional!
I don’t currently work in STEM, on a farm or ranch, or otherwise have a huge need for “workwear.” I was attracted to the company because I thought the pants were cute. Little did I know how much more than cute they are. I really love them and have told all my friends about them. I can’t wait for other colors to be available and for the lighter summer version! I will be buying more of these!