April 2008 Exhibit
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April 2008 Exhibit
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Featured Artist
Lee Kessler
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Many of the portraits I have posted here are of actors, or patrons at one of the various renaissance fairs or pirate festivals I attend. I hope soon to incorporate photos of my time doing Shakespeare in the Park and local theatre as well. |
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In 1999 I graduated from Everett Community College with my Associates Degree. I spent the majority of my time working on studio art, but I didn't really do any portraiture. A couple years later I had a fire in my studio. All of my sketches, my student portfolio, and much of my equipment, many of my finished paintings and drawings were destroyed. Along with paint, drafting tables, reference materials and just about everything else was gone. Some of my equipment and half a dozen paintings that were on loan or at my new home were all that was spared.
So rather than jumping right back into studio art, I focused my energies on acting. I began primarily with the Seattle Knights, but also independently and with other local troupes. Often while acting, I considered my fellow actors as potential subjects. Since actors have great facial expressions, and are many times elaborately costumed, with fanciful hairstyles, wonderful hats and beautiful jewelry.
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Most of my paintings are watercolor, which is a medium I have not experimented with before, on handmade paper. The black is then inked on over the top with India ink. |
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After many years away from painting, I agreed to a small show and promptly forgot about it until about 60 days before the show, when I began to scramble. Having little to work with except some photos from a recent vacation and of some of my friends in costume I set about painting portraits.
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