Valley verve: Tempura artist takes her time

Lorraine Krank is an artist who does not crank out paintings.

While some artists can complete a large body of work in a year’s time, Krank takes up to 18 months to complete one piece. “It would take about six months if I did it full time,” she said.

Her pieces are large and intricately worked with one small brush and an exacto knife, which allows for texture and depth. Her medium is egg tempura, a mixture of egg yoke and watercolor paints, applied onto gessoed masonite. Her subjects include people and animals.

Her pieces are quite large. Her current one is 34- by 34-inches. Called “The Reading Lesson,” it is of a woman wearing old-fashioned attire; she sits under a tree reading to children as well as to the animals that have snuck out into the open.

Though Krank has drawn most of her life, it has only been in the last couple of years that she has devoted her time to painting. She only has about 10 paintings in her collection and they decorate her home. She does not sell the originals but has giclees made from them. “My work is too personal,” she said.

Her work is reminiscent of simple pleasures and uncomplicated times. Completely self-taught, Krank believes that most people can do most anything if they put their mind to it.

While her paintings are happy and peaceful, so is Krank’s environment. She paints in a sunroom, allowing her a view of flower gardens and a sprawling alfalfa field. She purchased the Otis Orchards property a few years ago and, what began as an alfalfa field on 4.5 acres, has been transformed into a lovely home complete with a koi pond. She kept part of the alfalfa field that she tends and harvests. Much of her summer hours are spent working the land while winters she paints.

Born in Kellogg, Krank moved to Spokane Valley when she was 17. She attended Kinman Business University and recently retired from a bookkeeping position. She still fills in when needed because, she said, it’s good brainwork.

Krank is a member of the River Ridge Art Association and recently showed her work at an arts and crafts show in Otis Orchards. She has also participated in First Night for the past five years.

Krank’s time is spent enjoying her environment, mowing, painting, going to movies and eating at the Davenport Hotel. “I’m not one for fancy stuff,” she said, “I like life. It’s fun. It’s a matter of attitude. There’s no reason to be bored.” She wears a smile that is contagious and carries a quiet and content air about her.

“It’s important to utilize time to the fullest extent as it passes so quickly,” she said, “It’s important to make every moment count.” She is working on a children’s book about her granddaughter Olivia. She has two sons and a daughter whom she has used as a model for several of her paintings. Krank is grateful for all that she has and is able to do.

“It’s important to make a difference whether it be art or anything else you contribute to society,” she said, “It’s also important to never lose your identity.”