Imagine---if you will, a girl, happy and active in music, dance, art projects, and many fun and lively activities in addition to school; which she loved. Then at fifteen, for no apparent reason, she spent her summer refusing to leave her room during daylight hours or when others might be about. This was a dilemma no one could figure out. But today, there is an answer- I was experiencing the early onset of bi-polar disorder.
I honed my skills until, in my thirties, I formed my own company called The Lorring Group; a marketing consulting firm that specialized in helping credit unions and small businesses. Additionally, I was able to provide pro-bono work for an assortment of non-profits. For a long time, the business was quite successful. None of the clients knew where I was during my periodic “vacations”. When I was manic I could produce mountains of work. The clients like that! However when I crashed, I crashed HARD. I was hospitalized thirteen times. The roller coaster ride that was my illness eventually led to a ward with a lock on the door.
Finally, via the skills of the right people and the right organization (We Care Arts), that very scared and sick fifteen year old girl who evolved into a desperate adult slip-sliding through her career finally met with the calm and freedom her heart always sought. . .a place to go and feel centered. I found a group of teachers, who are constantly “in the Groove.” I spent time learning with people of all types of disabilities, in the glorious freedom to create, while evolving as an artist; all this—as a recycled person.
Kathleen’s artist’s statement: I intend to continue to recycle junked materials as my painting surfaces and reclaim them. I intend to further my knowledge of endangered species and endangered habitats and paint as I learn. And finally, I intend to write a grant (“from the ground up”) to help WCA as I pursue these objectives.
Come browse the art gallery at the Berkeley Center facility. Be delighted by
the eclectic mix of whimsical crafts and fine arts by over 50 artists that are
available for purchase. We Care Arts Gift Gallery is open Monday through
Friday from 9 AM to 4PM and on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2PM. For more
information please call 937-252-3937.
