OneWorld Magazine: Deserts

Lawrence W. Lee

Lawrence W. Lee Paintings Copyright © Lawrence W. Lee - All Rights Reserved
Paintings published by special permission of The Electric Gallery
Web Production and Design, OneWorld Magazine.

"I can create my own reality, populate the world with my own beings and
stretch the imagination. My paintings are confrontational, not comfortable.
They require viewer participation. You have to imagine what it might be out
there that gives a character such a countenance. What is he responding to?
What is the nature of the abyss into which he gazes?" - Lawrence W. Lee

Lawrence, born in Arkansas but who now resides in Arizona, has been a professional artist for 25 years. Prior to this, he was an educator, teaching fine art and art history, as well as philosophy. This combination can be seen in the pensive and wise faces of his subjects. Although he worked in various media and subject matter, he is known for his solitary and incredibly strong Indians, painted in vibrant acrylics that reflect the colors of the desert sunset. Lawrence's use of fetishes and swirling, turbulent clouds evoke a sense of magic and mystery. The unusually weathered and expressive faces give a hint of the spiritual strength and integrity of these ancient people.

Mary Wyant

Mary Wyant Paintings Copyright © Mary Wyant - All Rights Reserved
Paintings published by special permission of The Electric Gallery
Web Production and Design, OneWorld Magazine.

"My work is vibrant and open-ended. I paint images that leave questions unanswered so that the viewer can finish the painting in his or her own mind. Is that woman happy or sad, young or old? Who lives inside that dwelling, is anyone there? These aspects of my work and my imagination come together creating a colorful and exciting expression of what I see and feel." - Mary E. Wyant

Mary Wyant always dreamed of being an artist, and 14 years ago, after moving to Tuscon from Detroit to teach interior design at the University of Arizona, she met Lawrence W. Lee and her dream came true. Under the mentorship of Lawrence, she began a journey into the world of fine art, and hasn't looked back. The success of her work can be seen in the attention to detail; from the tiny glass beads on a maiden's dress to the soft wispy strands of a feather. Her sensitivity to the colors, patterns, and movement of textiles and her understanding of the reflection and contrast of light and shadow create a vivid realism. The viewer feels the breeze gently lifting the blanket and senses the warmth of the sun giving the red wool its intensity. One wants to touch the softness of the chamois moccasins and wrap herself in the security of the winter cloak.