Loretta Oberheim

New York, United States | @loretta_oberheim_art

Long Island, NY artist, Loretta Oberheim, has utilized art to express her emotions throughout her life. Her passion began at a young age and grew when she met an incredible mentor her junior year of high school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

She followed her love of creativity to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she graduated with a B.F.A. in Textile/Surface design in 2006. She began working in the high-end floorcovering sector of the interior design industry upon graduation. Some of Loretta’s designs graced the pages of such prominent publications as Vogue, Architectural Digest, Interior Design, and LUXE.

Then in August of 2013, a life altering event occurred, which left Loretta with permanent brain damage to her frontal and temporal lobe, along with other permanent neurological challenges. That split-second moment took art out of her life. Unfortunately, nothing that was manifesting in her mind would translate onto canvas or paper. All the love, the appreciation, the years of training; were gone.

Finally, in December 2018, in a moment of deep loss, but necessary acceptance, she created the painting "11:04". Behind the layers of oil paint are doctors’ notes, test results, accident reports, and disability forms. In the process of this creation, of letting go, her ability to create returned, but in a new form she had never explored before. This creation of abstract expressionism was a far cry from her traditional textile with gouache training from college.

Loretta’s pieces have been on exhibit in galleries in NYC and Long Island. Loretta has also been featured on TLC’s hit show “Unpolished” for her creative, one of a kind “Heart” sculptures.

She’s created custom commissions for private residences and businesses across the country. Yet one thing especially important to her is working as a Traumatic Brain Injury Advocate to help those understand some disabilities are unable to be seen.

To learn more about Loretta and the work she creates, please visit www.lorettaoberheimart.com and follow her on Instagram: @loretta_oberheim_art