Thursday, December 28, 2006

My Funny Clementines


I think I will call these little clementines done. I've learned a lot about the color orange here, and had a good time painting. However, it's been a while (a whole week!) since I have worked on a figurative piece, and I am ready to get back to one. Perhaps what I have learned so far with this 'dead color' method will carry over into the figures, too. I plan to keep painting these little stills as well; they are fun little projects and are satisfying.

Also, it is my birthday today!

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Clementines, Continued


Orange is slippery color! One minute I will see more yellow, and the next it will appear to need more red. It's also a difficult color to photograph. Regardless, I am having a great deal of fun trying to put my finger on just the right hues and values of these clementines, while I dine on their tasty siblings.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Oh My Darlin'


I can't help but think of that song every time I see or hear of a clementine. This isn't exactly a 'dead color' layer, as far as I know, but it is void of most of the value and hue range that I see. There are some wonderful highlights and reflected lights that aren't even hinted at here. We will see what happens next!

Red Pepper, Finished


Red Pepper
5" x 7" Oil on Canvas Panel

Completed this little painting tonight, and then fed the pepper to my guinea pig to seal the deal. A sad fate for such a lovely pepper, I know. I was so happy with the painting experience that I decided to start another one.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Red Pepper Update


The red pepper is now nearly complete! I will spend just one more session with it before I call it done and pass the pepper on to my guinea pig, Julian. He will enjoy it.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Exposed


This painting may or may not be titled "Exposed." I am somewhat undecided. Either way, it is finished: 14" x 11" Oil on Linen Panel.

Red Pepper

I am working on painting this red pepper from life on a little 5" x 7" canvas panel. I am following a technique favored by an e-friend of mine, Richard Murdock, who creates stunning little still life paintings (among other works.) He starts off with 'dead color,' and slowly adds depth with each layer. Here is my dead color layer:


This is after my second session, where I have started to shift the hue and value of the pepper to create form: (Never mind the napkin, please!)


I am enjoying the process very much! It is very much different from the way I have been painting, where I start with the values and then adjust the color. Updates to follow.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Life Drawing


I had the pleasure of drawing two heads from life yesterday; this is the better of the two. The subject is my 8 year old son, Shannon. It is very difficult to draw him because, as you can imagine, he doesn't sit still. Even more challenging is the fact that he cycles through various facial expressions as his mind wanders, which I find completely hilarious. When I start to chuckle, it makes Shannon laugh, and we both wind up laughing so much that we can't speak. This can make it very difficult to draw!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Gasp! Painting Update


The painting is progressing well and I am pleased thus far. Now I just need to come up with a clever title before it is finished!

The presentation last week at H&R Block went well, and it was a pleasure to meet new people and share ideas.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Speaking Engagement and Sketch

14" x 11"

Above it an oil sketch, just started last night. I took the picture with a flash, so the lights don't show the full range of values and there is some glare, but you can still see where I am going with it. I always want to just add color to the light areas, and leave the shadows in this sketchy manner, but something inside takes over every time and I wind up painting over every inch of the canvas.

Tomorrow I am to give a presentation at the H&R Block World Headquarters downtown. I have a slideshow prepared, and I will talk about my ideas on art and realism as well as share my work and how I create it. I hope to meet lots of new people and have a good time!

Friday, December 08, 2006

MyArtSpace Blog

I was recently interviewed by Brian Sherwin of MyArtSpace.com. Check out the blog here!

While you are at it, take a look at the interview with Mark Ryden. I enjoy his work a lot, and am happy to occupy this virtual space with him.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Danette, Revisited


I just completed the above pastel of my friend, Danette (see my previous post, Danette, Unveiled.) I am toying with the idea of cropping this into a square. While not overt, I have intended the light and composition in this painting to be symbolic. More on that later. (Anyone care to guess in the meantime?) For now, a detail image:

Monday, December 04, 2006

Holiday Show at Pi and Art Fair


These are a couple pictures from the First Friday opening at Pi Gallery. It is the "Back to the Future" 2006 retrospective show, and I have 6 pieces placed throughout the gallery. There was also a Preview Party on Thursday, but it was snowed-out. Another party has been scheduled for Friday the 8th, 6-9 pm, to make up for the missed one. Stop by if you can!



Saturday was the Lawrence Art Guild's Holiday Art Fair at the Lawrence Arts Center. I would have brought more pieces with me, but I thought I would only have six linear feet to hang in! The exhibitor next to me was unable to make it, which gave me a little more room to spread out, and allowed me to sit and chat with a neighbor in the empty corner.

I also got my very first ticket this weekend. I was flying at a screaming 0MPH; that's right, I got a ticket for backing into a parking space. What can I say, I just wanted to unload onto the sidewalk instead of into the street!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Eve Ashamed, Upcoming Events

"Eve Ashamed"
30" x 20"
Oil on Canvas


Above is another new painting. This will be included in Pi Gallery's retrospective show, Back to the Future, in December. Following is a list of events to look out for next week!

Back to the Future - Pi Gallery Retrospective
Happy Hour Preview: November 30, 6-9 pm
First Friday Opening: December 1, 6-9 pm

Lawrence Art Guild's Holiday Art Fair - Lawrence Art Center
Saturday December 2, 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

The Pitch - Art Capsule Review

I've received some good press concerning my show at Pi Gallery. The following is a review published earlier this month.

The Pitch -– Art Capsule Reviews
Published November 9, 2006

Lacey Lewis: Repression and Revelation

Lacey Lewis eschews fancy aesthetic theories for flesh-and-blood humanity and symbolism that doesn'’t require a philosophical middleman. The female body is Lewis'’ favorite subject matter, and this exhibition collects several of her oil paintings and monochromes, most of which stand on their own as perceptive character studies of individual women (the most striking being "“Judith With the Head of Holofernes"”). Lewis'’ figures deal as much with the outer form of the person as with her subjective inner life. For the viewer, her work becomes something like a mirror. Through Nov. 25 at the Pi Gallery, 419 E. 18th St.

-–Santiago Ramos

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Inside the Governor's Conference Room


Wednesday I took a trip out to Topeka and took a tour of the Kansas Statehouse. The people there were kind enough to arrange for me to sneak in to Governor Sebelius's private conference room between meetings so that I could take a quick picture of the room with my pastel hanging in. I was pleased, as were my parents and grandmother.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Little Painting on ABS

Here is a little almost completed oil painting on ABS. This is the first time I have painted on ABS, as I got the 12" x 9" sample from Doug Higden who will have a Paint on ABS website for the sale of panels up soon. So far I am really enjoying the smooth surface!

Sunday, November 05, 2006

First Friday Opening at Pi

Last Friday was the opening of my show at Pi Gallery, Repression and Revelation. The lighting was beautiful, there was a good turnout for the show, and a good time was had by all. Following are some pics from the opening, starting with one of me with Pi Gallery owner, Jody Wilkins.









Monday, October 30, 2006

Repression and Revelation: Show at Pi


Repression and Revelation
Pi Art Gallery, Kansas City, MO
November 3rd - November 25th 2006
Opening Reception: November 3rd, 6-9pm


Over the weekend I delivered several paintings and some drawings to Pi Gallery for my November solo show. One main wall features the series 'Repression and Revelation,' and other walls feature various figurative works. Above is a sneak peek at the main wall. (The city scene in the corner is actually a painting by Jane Pronko, who exhibited for October. It was a great show!)

Monday, October 23, 2006

H&R Block


Last Friday I set up my display at the new H&R Block World Headquarters. Saturday was a 'Block Party Safari' celebration for the employees and their families, which I was invited to attend. There were bands, food, face painting, and even a small petting zoo. Following are some pictures of the panels; yes, I often make silly faces in photographs.



Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Details on Governor's Invitational

I have acquired more information about my piece in the capitol building. Eleven paintings were chosen from the MidAmerica Pastel Society's Juried Exhibition at the South Wind Gallery in Topeka to hang in Governor Kathleen Sebelius's private conference room at the Kansas Statehouse. Among them was my pastel, "Cris."


Needless to say, I am completely honored and excited! I hope to make another trip out to Topeka soon for a historical tour and to see where the painting is hanging.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Lots of Things Happening!

Wow, have I got a lot on my plate right now! I just picked up one of my pastels from the MAPS Juried Exhibition in Topeka; the other was chosen to hang in the capitol building. I don't have many details on this, but will post them A.S.A.P. This Thursday I will deliver portraits to hang in the lobby of the new H&R Block World Headquarters, and will attend the "Block Party" celebration next Saturday.

Of course, the big news in my show Repression and Revelation opening November 3rd at Pi Gallery in the Crossroads Arts District! I have been working diligently to finish the series and everything is going well. Here are a couple from the series; more can be seen on my website.


Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Trip to Manhattan!

Manhattan, KS, that is. This blog is way late, but what can I say? It has been a busy time for me. I took the road trip on September 2nd primarily to visit the Strecker-Nelson Gallery. This is the farthest west I have ever been, and the road there was, well, rather flat.


The overall quality of the work at the Strecker-Nelson is really impressive; their Person to Person figurative show is what really caught my eye and propelled me to contact them about representation. I am pleased to announce that the gallery and I are building a relationship together, and I am scheduled to show in one of their rooms in August and September of 2007!


On the way back, I stopped in Topeka. The first stop was South Wind Gallery where I have two pastels on display with the MidAmerica Pastel Society 2006 Juried Art Exhibition. I had a pleasant conversation with Gary, a charming man who runs the shop. The gallery is beautiful, and the exhibition was full of impressive pieces.



The second stop in Topeka was my good friend Terry's chocolate shop: Hazel Hill Chocolate Traditions. I got to catch up with a friend I had not seen in a while, get a behind-the-scenes tour, and sample a delicious cappuccino truffle. Mmmm, a yummy end to an exciting day.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Art Fairs, et cetera

I have been too busy to blog! Last weekend was Art Westport, and though it could have been worse, it was a soggy, dreary weekend. If you missed me there, feel free to stop by the UnPlaza Art Fair Spetember 16th and 17th!
I have been working diligently on my series for the opening in November. The third painting was finished some time ago, the fourth is almost complete, and I am nearly ready to start the fifth. The show will be titled "Repression and Revelation," and an opening reception will be held on November 3rd.

(I was planning to insert an image here, but the image uploader doesn't seem to be working at the moment. I will try again later.)

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Pi Gallery

Last Saturday I had a meeting with the art director at Pi Gallery. The paintings "Repose" and "Cris With a Purple Drape" are currently on display at the gallery, and a solo show is planned for November 2006. The focus of the show will be my new series involving the box, the third of which is about to be completed.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

WIP Update

Here is an update on this work-in-progress.

Oil on Canvas, 24" x 30"

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Shell

Oil on Canvas
4" x 6"

The above is a small painting completed from life in one evening. I plan to do several of these over the next couple of months. They provide an opportunity to train my eye from life, and will hopefully also sell at the art fairs in September.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Summer Schedule

MAPS Juried Exhibition South Wind Gallery 08-25-06 through 10-08-06
Lacey's pastels "Cris" and "Self Portrait in Pastel" were chosen for inclusion in the MidAmerica Pastel Society's juried exhibition at the Sount Wind Gallery in Topeka, KS. Opening reception is Friday, August 25th from 6-8 p.m.

Twenty Seventh Annual Art Westport 09-08-06 through 09-10-06
Historical Old Westport provides a perfect backdrop for a "Kansas City" artist's fair. You will find Lacey's display at the end of Archibald, right across from Californos!
Hours: Friday 5 - 9pm, Saturday 10am - 9pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm

UnPlaza Art Fair 09-23-06 and 09-24-06
Peace Works Kansas City's 15th Annual UnPlaza Art Fair.
Hours: Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday 12 noon - 5pm
Location: All Souls Unitarian Church, 4501 Walnut, KCMO, 64111 (across the street from the Kemper Gallery of Contemporary Art)

New WIP

Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Hush

This is my 2nd addition to the 'box' series. At least one more painting on the same theme will follow.

"Hush"
Oil on Canvas, 24" x 36"

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Danette, Unveiled

The pastel that I introduced last post is now finished. Here it is:

"Danette, Unveiled"
Pastel on Wallis, 16" x 22"

This is a painting of a friend, Danette, the first time that I saw her without a scarf (or security blanket, as she calls it!) on her head. A few months ago she finished chemo therapy and I have been happy to see her back to her bubbly, outgoing self!

It all started in the Spring of 2005, when Danette experienced a miscarriage. No one knew at the time, however, that what she was experiencing was not in fact a miscarriage but rather a symptom of
Gestational Trophoblastic Cancer. Over the summer she became ill, and by the fall she was going in and out of the hospital, a couple of times in critical condition, and having surgeries. She was finally diagnosed while her husband was on an emergency trip to Texas where his father lay dying. Within a month Danette's own father was diagnosed with cancer, they had to relocate her mother-in-law to KS, and they experienced an accident which totaled their car.

The stress on Danette's family must have been incredible; she and her husband, Victor, work together as a youth pastor team at a local church and have five (count them, five!) children whom they homeschool. They also have no health insurance. But Danette stood as an example of Optimism and Hope. I would like to share a message that she sent out to our homeschool group in September of 2005 (unedited):

Hi everyone. i wanted to take a moment and tell you how overwhelmed i am with the kindness i have received from you all. I have been so blessed by the meals, the flowers and cards, phone calls and visits, and help with my kids, including co-op this fall. You all are a blessing from God to me, and I have said many prayers, and sent out many thoughts of blessings to you all.

as an update, i've been home since thursday, but have to return to the hospital this monday pm through wed. afternoon for more chemo treatment. I am also seeing a naturopathic doctor (who is working alongside my chemo doctor) who is giving me high vitamin treatment and herbal support, so I feel confident that it will help assist my body in the process.

i know we are a non-religious based group, but i wanted to share with you that i feel totally at peace with my dis-ease. the minute i got the diagnoses, i felt this overwhelming peace and total absence of fear. it's like my inner self knew somehow. I believe in Divine timing and guidance, and I feel that this experience is needed by my soul for my own growth. It has been like a huge spiritual crash-course for me, as I have spent time in the hospital reading from numerous spiritual sources, meditating, receiving reiki and prayers in many forms, and just had time to think. I am understanding things at a deep-heart level, that I never truly understood before. I tell you all this because as you are sending your many postive thoughts and prayers (in whatever form--positive energy is being sent), I and my family are soaking it up. I also wanted you to not feel worry or fear or sadness for me. I'm not some spiritual guru or anything---none of my peace comes from me--but i wanted to let you know that despite the difficulties, i am okay---at peace, knowing all is well, and in Divine Order.

you all have just been such a beautiful gift to me and my family, and i wanted to share a little of what is going on in my soul. I hope to be back with you soon. my body is still weak, so i'm not getting out much, but i hope to be back at co-op and other events as soon as i am
strong.

blessings and positive thoughts from me to all of you. talk to you soon! love, danette

Needless to say, I have been inspired by Danette. Actually, I was completely inspired by her entire family before any of this happened: she and Victor share work at church and at home equally and both participate in the schooling of and have great relationships with their children, who are amazing; they love each other, are helpful, intelligent and mature. They are all very affectionate both towards family and friends and seem to bring cheer wherever they go. As a family they have made me think about how I ought to treat those close to me and to face the world with a positive outlook. The past year has shown me how an optimistic, strong, loving family can weather huge difficulties.

This painting is meant to embody the spirit of Optimism and Hope that I see in Danette and her family, and also as simply a gift between friends, a congratulations of sorts. I hope that she sees something in the painting that reminds her, in a positive way, of her journey this past year.

As I was nearing completion of this painting, I got word from Danette that she had some 'disturbing test results' and may be having a recurrence of her cancer. I sincerely hope that this is not the case and that her body is as healed and well as she appears to be! I just have to keep telling myself to think positive thoughts.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Spring is Over, A New Beginning

(Close-up)

"Spring"
18" x 24"



Spring was finished on the 1st day of Summer. I will say more about the pastel, above, which I just started, as soon as possible.