Lorraine Fenkner nurtured and practiced her skill as a painter and sketch artist over more than 40 years. Her creations are in oil, acrylic and charcoal on canvas, wood, burlap and paper.
Lorraine was inspired greatly by her residence in Africa in the 1960’s. She wrote memoirs describing her experience in South Africa and then, after leaving, deliberately painted loving, peaceful images of the African people, in contrast to the reality of experiences under Apartheid. It is clear that living in this racially divided country shaped Lorraine’s attitude and approach to humanity. Her regard for the equality of humankind was reflected in her art and in her relationships with others.
In 1960, after her return to Vancouver from Africa, Lorraine started art classes. She eventually enrolled at the Emily Carr in Vancouver, B.C. to further her artistic training. Her most frequent subject was her dear friend,Chief Dan George . Lorraine was a personal assistant to the late Chief Dan George and spent time with him on the sets of “Little Big Man” and “Outlaw of Josey Wales”. Lorraine was also a friend of the late Hon Frank Calder. Dr. Frank Calder was the first status Indian admitted to UBC, first to be elected to the legislature, first to the Canadian Parliament, and first appointed a Minister of the Crown. He was a tireless champion of equality for Aboriginal peoples. Her relationships with First Nations personalities and her involvement in local politics provided Lorraine with the opportunity to meet many people from all over the world. One of her painting subjects was the late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, whom Lorraine met at an opening parliament in Victoria. She was inspired by her aboriginal friends and continued to paint local aboriginal people, especially Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
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