Rising Stars: Meet Allison Loraine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Loraine.

Hi Allison, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a 34 years old Artist and Maker who lives and works in Kalamazoo, Michigan. My hometown is Grand Rapids, Michigan. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BSW-Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2015. I had been working with refugees teaching English & Citizenship classes and connecting new Americans with local resources and planned to continue on that career path for the foreseeable future. Then suddenly in 2017, my health took a turn for the worse and I was forced to put my career on hold. I became unable to work after undergoing multiple surgeries, and 18 months with an ostomy bag that saved my life. Due to the sudden shift in my life and my limited ability to work, I took up henna as a way to occupy my mind, express myself artistically, and make a living while working with my doctors to combat the infections that were attacking my body. In April of 2019, I had my ostomy reversed and continued my healing journey as a disabled female artist making a name for herself in a new town. I moved to Kalamazoo in January of 2018 looking for a fresh start in a vibrant and artistic community. I officially launched Sunshine Henna Body Art in June of 2018. At first, I was taking private appointments for clients and working festivals and other private events around the city and greater southwest Michigan. In early 2020 my business came to a halt as Covid-19 lockdown took effect. I was unable to do henna in person for several months out of the year and began teaching henna classes online via zoom to try to keep my business going. I created an Introduction to Henna Design course and provided all the materials in neat kits for “no contact” pick up or delivery before each class. I really enjoyed teaching again and thought this would be a great offering to add to my small business. In 2021, as the world began to repen, I started vending at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. I absolutely loved working there and seeing my friends, neighbors, and clients each Saturday. I will be a returning vendor this year so be sure to stop by and say hello! In the fall of 2021, I took on a position at Colors & Cocktails in downtown Kalamazoo on the mall as an Art Teacher. I offer monthly henna classes to the public in their studio. I also sell handmade jewelry in their boutique! I love being part of the team at Colors & Cocktails and finding new ways to use my skills to expand my business and teach others about henna!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not by a long shot! Between my health struggles and navigating a pandemic the last 4 years have been nothing short of challenging. I have had 13 surgeries between 2017 and 2022 and lived with an Ileostomy for 18 months from November of 2017 to April of 2019. In March of 2022, I had a medical device implanted and now proudly refer to myself as part robot. My health journey is far from over but I persist in moving forward! The pandemic has been difficult for all of us. For me specifically, it meant I could not work with anyone in person for several months. When I was able to start taking clients again (after getting vaccinated) it was masked with lots of sanitizer and outside, which meant I was really only able to work consistently in the summer months and even then, work was sparse. These challenges made me think differently about how to be successful as an artist under such difficult circumstances. It gave me the idea to get back into teaching, doing the one thing we could all do together during lockdown, jump on a Zoom meeting! That experience sparked my desire to get back into teaching which led me to find Colors & Cocktails, and as they say, the rest is history!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I still consider myself a social worker, I have not been working in the field for a couple of years now. Now, as a full-time Artist, I specialize in henna body art. I use only organic ingredients and BAQ (Body Art Quality) henna powder. My henna is hand mixed by me and contains no harmful chemicals or dyes. It is simply safe, natural, organic henna. Henna is a healing plant. Doing henna involves sitting down with people, holding their hand, and making something beautiful together while sharing an intimate conversation. When I am not at market or private event doing henna, you can find me doing window designs for local businesses, teaching classes at Colors & Cocktails, and selling my handmade orange slice earrings! These are my most unique offering! They have been flying off the shelves at the boutique and I couldn’t be more pleased that folks are enjoying them. As an artist, I am always exploring other mediums in my spare time but henna is my number one. From jewelry making, to block printing, to graphic design, I am a woman of many talents. I use a lot of my skill sets in unique ways that allow me to connect with others that makes art fun and approachable. Whether I’m working with someone one on one or teaching a room full of students I am always having fun and the time flies by. I am most proud of how I have persevered in the face of adversity. I have stayed true to myself and my passions through my work and it has taken me to wonderfully unexpected places. I could not be happier to be doing what I love by providing a naturally safe and beautiful henna experience.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was always running off to the woods to play in the creek, pick flowers and berries, and build forts. You could find me and my classmates riding our bikes to return pop cans to our local grocery store and spending the money we got on candy and lip-smacker lip balm. I was not very confident in myself as a youngster but I was curious, creative, and funny. I played softball and volleyball, sang in the women’s choir in high school, spent weekends at the mall with friends, camped at state parks in the summer with my family, and took every single art class that was available to me in high school and early college. Art was one thing that comforted me and made me feel free. There was no right or wrong way to express myself. I could get lost in it. I could process difficult and confusing feelings through art and it became very therapeutic for me, Hence, why it came to be a lifesaver for me later on in adulthood.

Pricing:

• Henna for private events starts at $85/hour
• Henna designs at the farmers market start at $10 each
• Henna Classes Downtown are $35 per person
• DIY Henna Cones are $5 Each

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: sunshinehennabodyart.wixsite.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunshinehennabodyart/