After more than 30 years as a hair stylist, Raune-lea closed her business in Peterborough and retired to Orillia with her new husband. Seeking an outlet for her natural creativity, she pursued and excelled at a variety of artistic endeavours, but it wasn’t until she picked up a drawing pencil and then a paintbrush that she discovered her true passion and talent. Her paintings immediately displayed an astonishingly nuanced and mature ability in a very short time Raune-lea used her experience with colour, light and proportion to great effect.
And as it turned out, her new hometown of Orillia is an ideal place to grow as a painter. Always eager to share and learn from other artists, she quickly became noticed in Orillia’s very active arts district, and was soon being hired by artists to participate in some large mural projects. Her participation in the arts community has even extended to her taking on the role of president of the Orillia Fine Arts Association.
She has also teamed up with another artist, Deby Melillo and together are known as MarshMellow. They have planned several shows this year and have invited other artists to join them.
Her work in hyper-realism has allowed her to become a master of her tools. Her love and adeptness with colour allow her to truly capture the mood of the subject. Combining the two, produces art with the best of both – technical prowess with unconstrained artistic flair.
Raune-lea’s subject manor is mainly cottage themed, but she does take commissions for pet portraits and landscapes.
