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Orange-born Loretta Blake has enjoyed a lifelong interest in art and twenty years ago she began painting seriously. Art was never considered a hobby for her but a real interest and occupation.
In 1985 Loretta travelled overseas and visited many famous galleries in the United Kingdom and Europe. This prompted Loretta to forgo her career as a hairdresser to paint fulltime. She then sought out tutors in Australia to assist in the development of her style and has great respect for her still life tutor, the late David Wilson of the Julian Ashton School and the Macquarie Aerial School in Bathurst.
One becomes immediately aware of Loretta’s first love in selecting the subject matter for her paintings – flowers in many forms. Landscape and people have gradually given way to floral pieces which express vibrancy and spontaneity, exude colour with great detail and display considerable technical skill showing a wealth of natural talent.
The home and studio of Loretta Blake is beautifully set in an extensive garden planted with an abundance of camellias, roses and other lovely special all of which bring her the joy and inspiration so obvious in her works.
In 1987 Loretta was a cofounder of Six on the Turps, a group of regional artists who painted and exhibited successfully for over ten years.
Loretta has received a wide acclaim since a successful exhibition in Sydney in 1987 and enjoys a ready market for her works.
Her works has been published twice in the Australian Artists’ magazine. Her first corporate purchase was by the Australian Grande Prix Board in 1991.
In 1995 Loretta was included in an exhibition of Australian Women Artists for Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations.
1998 – Australian Artists in Switzerland.
1998 to 2000 “The Desert Journey” travelling exhibition curatored by the Orange Regional gallery.
2000 – Australian Artists at The Rocks in conjunction with the Sydney harbour Foreshore Authority to raise funds for the Sydney Paralympics.
For the past five years Loretta has tutored at the Mitchell School of Creative Arts, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst.
Loretta’s interest in painting has grown into a way of life she is passionate about. She and her husband Barry, an Outback tour operator, combine their interests in a stimulating combination. Their daughter Larissa, exposed to art from early childhood, is pursuing her own career as an artist.
