AD INFINITUM -Photograph of crystalline phenylethylamine found in chocolate.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” —Albert Einstein
SUNDANCE -Photograph of crystalline phenylethylamine found in
chocolate and lactic acid found in wine.
Available as archival metal, or paper prints starting at $95
NEWS FROM THE STUDIO/LAB:
Summer is upon us, and that means cookouts, hiking, and for me, road trips. I prefer the first two, but I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at art fairs this summer.
This year my exhibit schedule has included a new show in Colorado Springs on the grounds of the historic Broadmoor Hotel and return trips to Avon, CO, and Park City, UT. I will be on the road for three weeks in July, and early August to cover this far-flung itinerary.
This is my 18th year of doing road shows. Although I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to share my story with so many wonderful art lovers, it is a physically demanding routine. Therefore, I am working on plans for a reduced travel schedule in 2024.
So, although I won't call it a "farewell tour" just yet, I do hope you will tell your friends and visit the upcoming shows if you have a chance. Please check out the dates and the remainder of the 2023 schedule below.
Cheers and have a wonderful summer!
- Lee
JUNE 2023
LEE'S UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 22-23, 2023 Broadmoor Arts Festival -Colorado Springs, CO
July 29-30, 2023 Avon Arts Festival -Avon, CO
August 4-6, 2023 Kimball Festival of the Arts -Park City, UT
September 23-24, 2023 Mill Valley Arts Festival -Mill Valley, CA
October 28-29, 2023 Kierland Art and Wine Festival -Scottsdale, AZ
November 17-19 and 24-26, 2023 Hidden-in-the Hills Studio Tour-Cave Creek, AZ Please note my new studio host this year! Studio #30.
January 12- March 29, 2024 Arizona Fine Art Expo -Scottsdale, AZ
“Ordinary people are products of their environment and fit in. Artists transcend their environment and stand out.” -Oliver Gaspirtz, author, artist
MIRACLE AND WONDER -Crystalline THC from cannabis -NEW!
ART AND SCIENCE: PAINTINGS AND POLLUTION
Southeastern Ohio's idyllic landscapes, with rolling hills, forests, and streams, attract outdoor enthusiasts from far and wide. However, there's a dark secret hidden beneath the surface: acid mine drainage (AMD), a byproduct of the region's coal
industry, has contaminated over 1300 miles of the area's watercourses. High concentrations of iron oxide in the toxic discharge from these abandoned mines give these streams an unsettling orange color. The repercussions are devastating, as
the toxicity of the outflow renders the waterways inhospitable to fish and other aquatic creatures. The absence of life in these once-vibrant streams paints a grim picture.
Amidst this environmental crisis, two visionary individuals have sought to turn the situation around. Guy Riefler, an environmental engineer, and John Sabraw, an artist, have collaborated to address the issue. They decided to extract the iron oxide from the contaminated water and repurpose it as color pigments for artist paints. By selling these pigments, they aimed to generate funds for the crucial cleanup efforts.
While Riefler possessed extensive knowledge of AMD and had developed a a method for neutralizing and removing iron oxide from the toxic outflows, he lacked expertise in creating artists' pigments. Fortunately, Sabraw stepped in with his considerable understanding of the subject. Together, they embarked on a mission to establish a pilot facility designed by Riefler and partnered with the paint company Gamblin to produce a limited run of artist paints.
These paints, aptly named "Reclaimed Earth Colors," were readily embraced by artists. By incorporating these environmentally conscious pigments into their artwork, artists could express their creativity and contribute to the restoration of the affected waterways. A Kickstarter fundraising campaign rewarded its supporters with these unique paints and helped construct a successful pilot plant.
Building on this success, Riefler, and Sabraw have taken their initiative a step further, establishing a social enterprise called "True Pigments," enabling them to construct their first full-scale treatment facility. This facility is expected to be operational by 2024, marking a significant milestone in their mission.
Interestingly, using iron oxide as a source material for artist pigments dates back thousands of years. In fact, it can be traced back as far as 100,000 years ago when the earliest of artists utilized yellow ochre (iron oxide) and carbon black in the first prehistoric cave paintings.
The inspiring, collaborative efforts of Sabraw and Riefler, bridging the realms of art and science, have addressed a daunting and pervasive environmental issue and paint a brighter picture for the future.
