Lance… A Sketch...

I was born on December 5, 1957 as the third of the five children.
I married my best friend, Lynn, who gave me two of the greatest joys of my life, my daughter Abigail and son Gabriel.  

As far back as I can remember I have loved to draw and sketch but sadly lacked the confidence and encouragement to try painting. Upon graduating from high school in 1975 at the age of 17 my family lacked the resources to help me achieve higher education. So, working as a brick mason, I put myself through school to become an artist of a different media. At the ripe old age of 19 I began a 30 plus year career as a hairdresser/salon-owner. Hairdressing has been a fine career; which allowed me to pursue my art while avoiding the starving part of 'starving artist'. With encouragement from my brother Bob I finally picked up a paint brush in my early twenty's and was for the first time in my life, 'in love' with art.

Watercolor was my first love and after much time trying to dominate, I learned to participate with her and we began to get along quite well. Being my first love, I will never totally abandon her; however, once I experienced the sensual qualities and nature of oil painting, I had a new love that could not be denied.  

You've heard it said, "Those who can ... do, and those who can't ... teach". Well I say, "Those who can't afford the teacher do over and over again until they teach themselves". That being said, whether directly or indirectly, there are those artists we admire who have gone before us who also teach and influence us. For example, spending hours engrossed in a Monet exhibit studying the brush strokes of his originals from a few feet away taught me volumes. Two exceptional artists and my personal friends Larry Barton and Tim Bruce, both influenced and helped me immeasurably with critique and instruction.  Other artists whose works continue to influence and inspire me include Carl Brenders, Jim Wilcox, Dan Gerhartz, David A Leffel, Scott Boyle, Jim Grey, Claude Monet, Sallie K. Smith, Francois Koch and Bob Kuhn. 

In my paintings I strive for what I call Focused Expressionism. I want the painting to be expressive with every brushstroke but I don't want every brushstroke to be the focus. Viewers often ask how I paint, such as, what brush I use, which technique I like best, or how long it took to complete any given painting, etc.... These facts are easily shown and easily forgotten. The greater question to me is this:  "What is the story behind this painting?"  It is true that every picture tells a story; I want every painting to invite you to discover that story and make it your own. When that happens it is the greatest compliment to the painter and the best home for the painting.

I don't create when I paint, I merely copy as best as I can what THE Creator has made. So allow me to echo the words of J. S. Bach as he signed his work, "Soli Deo Gloria" (to GOD alone be the glory).

A painter is a philosopher in brush and color; a philosopher whose wisdom may never be deciphered, and most often at first glance, is usually veiled. A painter is someone whose wit (if they have one) is always a discovery waiting to be explored.  My art is a revelation of truth.  The truth that is the very fiber of the canvas and the very pigment of the color of Lance.

“There is really neither beautiful style, nor beautiful drawing, nor beautiful color, there is but one sole beauty, that of the truth which is revealed.”

— Auguste Rodin

To me art is only art when it has accomplished two things. Firstly, when it exposes the artist and secondly, when it enriches the viewer. When both of these experiences happen a seed is planted which has the potential for growth in both artist and viewer.  Many believe it is love that grows, however, it is the knowing that grows and love simply expands to contain it.  My hope is that you will get to know my art well enough to love it.   As the old adage goes, Let him who has eyes... let him see. Or perhaps it was 'ears' and 'hear', but to say 'you get the picture' would be an over use of a pun.

There is a line in one of my favorite songs written by my favorite songwriter that says, "look beyond the blink" in which she is encouraging you to look past the first glance, the good looks, the sexy eyes, and instead to the beauty of the inner person. There is that inner place in my paintings. It is my hope that my paintings touch you in such a way that they connect you with that same place in you. If through my paintings my inner person is revealed and your inner person is stirred then we share the success. 

Enjoy your time in my world as we each enjoy our time in HIS.

 -Lance

“What is Sacred?

Of what is the Spirit made?

What is worth dying for?

What is worth Living for?”

— Don Juan Demarco

Other Thoughts: 

1. I have a math question for you. (and of course it is a trick question)  

    " What is infinity plus one?" 

    The answer is found in Philippians 3:7-11 

2. Can anyone tell me what a "have" is and why I should Be?