Orion has changed significantly since Doris Stauber moved here with her family in 1972.
The once-rural township now has its new cash crops–homes and condominiums.
As the wild places in the township are replaced by plazas and backyards, it seems that the only natural landscapes left are hanging on the walls of Stauber’s home.
Now, the Orion Art Center, which Stauber helped found at its inception, is honoring her for these very watercolors adorning her walls.
‘She’s very sweet and humble,? said Reggie Harrison, director of the art center. ‘Her work is very tranquil. She’s got a very nice touch. It’s nice to honor her.?
Stauber said she started drawing and painting at the age of eight or nine.
She took classes in oil painting at places like Marygrove College, but it wasn’t until she attended a showing of watercolors in Pontiac that she found her true artistic passion.
‘It was just beautiful,? she said. ‘This was the way to paint.?
When her family moved to Orion from Detroit, she began to notice the landscape.
‘Anyplace I drive, I’m always looking at the landscape,? she said.
Stauber is also inspired by long car trips she and her family make, especially through the wilds of Canada.The rugged Canadian landscape is featured in much of Stauber’s work.
‘It’s so forlorn and desolate,? she said.
She works on one to three paintings a year, but has been sidetracked by another passion: quilting.
Stauber was also involved in the founding of the Orion Art Center 20 years ago when a neighbor and fellow-painter introduced her to other artists in the area.
After that, Stauber was committed to helping create a place where the arts in Orion could come together.
‘I just wanted to do anything I could for the art center,? she said.
Over the years, she’s taught classes and taken classes at the center.
‘There’s a lot of talented people in this area. It’s very important to express yourself. It takes an art center to achieve that,? Stauber said, adding that she’s looking forward to the Snowflake Ball on Feb. 4
‘It a nice evening to be out,? she sai