Lorrayne R. Harris

Lorrayne R. Harris was "born with a pencil in her hand," she claims, and her love of art and illustration has gotten her through a long and fulfilling life, complete with dreams come true, dreams lost, and new dreams created.
Lorrayne originally dreamed of becoming a fashion designer and illustrator, so she attended Traphagen School of Fashion in New York City. She had a love for fashionable ladies and the era of elegance. "There was a difference back then; the ladies were so elegant. Nowadays many people just throw things on. I like to draw fashionable women; they come easy to me," Lorrayne said.

Shortly after college, Lorrayne's dream of becoming a fashion illustrator shifted when she met and married Walter Harris in 1950. The two moved to Ft. Lauderdale where they opened a hotel that they owned for several years. In reminiscing about their time together, Lorrayne said, "We were very happy. We never had any children together, but we were very happy."
Although Lorrayne's passion for illustration never became a career, it has remained a hobby throughout her lifetime. Her list of accomplishments includes illustrating three published children's books for a friend of hers, L.W. Lewis: "Poop, Butt, Booger & Snot, Poem Jokes You Will Like A Lot", published in 2011; "The Tickle Tree", published in 2008; and "Poodles, Tigers, Monsters & You", published in 2004.

As she has slipped into her golden years, Lorrayne has developed memory issues and is involved at Memory Matters, a community-based, non-profit organization which strives to be a center of excellence for persons with Alzheimer's and all forms of dementia and their families. At Memory Matters, Lorrayne has become a local celebrity as her work has been featured at the Memory Matters Art Expo, as well as some of her illustrations made into greeting cards.

Cathee Stegall, one of the program directors at Memory Matters and last month's Pink Magazine cover artist, has done extensive research on the benefits of creating art in dementia care and has seen it enhance the lives of many of the participants, including Lorrayne. Cathee said, "When art is introduced back into their lives, expression begins to flow again. Even if it is simple shapes and colors, when words no longer can express their feelings, a paint brush or pencil can." In speaking about Lorrayne specifically, Cathee said, "Being here has given her a reason to do her art. She loves teaching, and being able to use her talents has given her that joy back."

Although Lorrayne's memory isn't as good as it used to be, she can never forget three very important memories: she studied fashion design at Traphagen School of Fashion, she had a wonderful marriage to a man named Walter, and she has always loved art. With memories as pleasant as those, who needs anything else?

For more information about Lorrayne's work or the art program at Memory Matters, please contact Cathee Stegall at 843-842-6688.