Lu
Harris
Education
A few private painting lessons led to the Fine Arts program at NVCC for two years, followed by the Studio Art program at George Mason University. While pursuing my studies, I entered shows, took Life Drawing classes, and volunteered at the Torpedo Factory Gallery in Old Town Alexandria. Later, I continued my studies abroad with Smithsonian trips to France, Italy, and Spain, studying Cezanne, Monet, Van Gogh, and Sorolla – the Spanish Impressionist “painter of light.”
Workshops
I’ve gained insight and expanded my work while attending workshops in Woodstock, NY, along with Leesburg and Alexandria, VA, with Pastel Instructor, Albert Handell; Watercolor studies in Sedona, AZ, with Betty Lynch, AWS; and an Acrylic Class at the Instituto at San Miquel de Allende, Mexico.
Experiences
Working for an Art Publishing Company, I created specific artworks in watercolor and ink to be included in marketing catalogs for the Spring and Fall Markets held in Atlanta and New York.
My work has received awards from the Reston Arts Council, NVCC, and the Torpedo Factory, in Pastel, Mixed Media, and Acrylics.
A highlight and an incredibly rewarding learning experience was opening The Studio at Opera Alley, a studio/gallery in Old Town Manassas.
One of my most memorable shows was a solo opening, “Visions of Mexico,” at the Stewart-Mott Residence and Office on Capitol Hill in DC.
My Work Continues to Evolve and I Continue to Explore
For the past 3 years, I have been teaching semi-private classes for all ages in Pastel and Mixed Media, along with leading workshops in Acrylics and Mixed Media.
Currently, I am dabbling in “surface textile design,” using my artwork for textiles and wrapping paper, along with hand-dying and eco-printing on silk, cotton, and paper.