Lou Albright, 70, has been painting all her life, developing a deep love for art at age 6 when her pastor’s wife taught her how to draw grapes one day after Sunday school. Since then, she has delved into watercolors and oils, creating hundreds of beautifully expressive pieces. She taught art in schools, privately and through workshops for 28 years, describing it as a job that brought her joy.
“I feel good when I’m painting,” Albright said in an interview, “I think a lot of people don’t get it when you say ‘I have to paint’ but that’s the way I feel. I’m happy if I paint.”
The artist’s talent is clear upon a single glance, with brush strokes so well blended that the paintings were nearly photographic in their realism.
Albright’s first love, watercolor, is a marvelous representation of her talents as her years of practice are apparent in the way she can control the depth of color such as in her piece “Momma’s Skirt Tail” which depicts a young girl clutching her mother’s skirts which are intricately patterned even in the wrinkles. Albright has a way with faces, with an ability to capture expressions and emotions in a captivating and unique artistic process.
“Serenity” was a clear crowd favorite, with its nearly fairy-like subject, a young girl, smiling softly as the breeze teases her hair, sitting surrounded by green foliage. The painting, an oil, has an almost magical quality. She features a large array of western inspiration, painting horses, Native Americans, cowboys, civil war soldiers and families.
This show holds 30 of her works spanning from 2004 to today. Albrights attention to detail deserves to be marveled over.
Her show is set to stay at the Pierce Museum until November 21st. It is an amazing sight with an incredibly talented and softspoken artist, so go see it before it closes!
