Many years later, after having a child and teaching math and chemistry for several years, Lou saw some of Ellen Elmes' watercolors, was hooked, and took several of her classes. Also at that time, she took a two-week workshop in St Andrews, Nebraska, from Chinkok Tan. Pencils were not allowed: the students located a shape, decided on its color and value, painted it, and then moved on to the next shape. The work was done en plein air, weather permitting. Lou has taken several one to five-day workshops locally and in Plant City, Florida, with painters Carrie B Brown, Bryan Ateyo, Terry Smith, Pat Weaver, Jo Tarabula, and Tom Lynch. Lou gains something from each, but Ellen has had the most influence on her work in watercolors. She has tried water-miscible oils and acrylics, though watercolor is still her first choice.

Lou has exhibited her work in a solo show at SwVCC, from which the college bought a painting for their permanent collection. In 1993 she joined the East Hillsborough Art Guild in Florida and helps with registration for the Strawberry Festival show, which usually has over 300 entries. In twelve years of participation in that show, she has won ten awards. While in Florida, she enjoys helping a group of friends who like to paint.

Lou has been the chairman of the Tazewell County Fair Art Show, the student art show during the Cedar Bluff Heritage Festival, and is a member of the Appalachian Artists Association (based in the Bluefield-Princeton area) where she is on the executive board.