JOE LESSER ART
ABOUT
I became a painter by accident, around the age of 40. I had no idea that I could be good with color. Up until then, I had enjoyed drawing with pencil and charcoal and had thought that that in itself was fulfilling enough. And I still think it is very fulfilling to draw. However, after being convinced---somewhat reluctantly---to try color, I signed up for a painting class and, well, a lightning bolt struck! COLOR! It was like a missing vitamin in my diet. I then devoted a large part of my life to the study and practice of applied color and I began an art journey, taking the necessary steps towards becoming a professional painter.
Before long, I had the good fortune of winning awards in some esteemed art contests. Soon after, I was showing and selling my work in galleries. As a life-long teacher (that’s another story), I embraced the opportunity and privilege to teach art classes and workshops; running my own art teaching business and teaching for other venues as well.
Right now my primary art endeavor is composing the still life based upon somewhat simple, ordinary objects: hand-painted blocks of wood (solid and striped), various rolls of colored masking tape, glasses, jars, eggs, metal. And then I may add a bird or butterfly depending on the composition. The challenge I have posed to myself is to explore compositional variations with this relatively small troupe of objects, much like directing the same cast of theatrical players on a stage.