Starting with Plein Air Painters of Chicago, Lee’s self-directed art training came mainly from workshops and learning on his own. He strives to create an intuitive impression of what he sees, avoiding too much realism. This allows the viewer’s imagination to run free. His oil pieces have been included in shows across the country, especially those dedicated to representational art.

In Lee’s own words: “Born in Chicago, Illinois. I received a BS degree in Product Design at IIT Institute of Design in 1959. I began painting seriously after a successful career as a Product Designer and Retail Store Designer. I started as a plein air painter (a most difficult choice for a beginner.)  My art training came mainly from work shops and by watching, reading and listening.” 

“I started with the PAPC (Plein Air Painters of Chicago) headed by Scott Powers. Meeting on  Saturday mornings at a different location in Chicago. The lessons learned there were very important to me and still are to this day. I learned to paint fast and to capture the essence of my subject. I created an impression of what I was seeing . What looks like a very detailed piece is in fact just a very loose interpretation. Whether working from a photo or real life I try to avoid too much realism. I don’t want to disappoint the viewer’s imagination. My goal is to create a strong visually appealing composition. Not having formal training,  my painting process has been intuitive, not cluttered by rules and I think that is reflected in my work.”

There will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres provided by Tru Cuisine Catering.