Lucy Ames Trailside Splendor
August 8 | 3-5pm Artist Talk (3:30) and Reception for the Artist
August 29 | More kid friendly reception and gelli printing demo
About Lucy Ames Although Lucy grew up fully embracing her artistic self, something shifted in early adulthood and she thought that she should leave art for the “real” artists and get going with a more sensible career. She loved working with kids and became an elementary classroom teacher. It didn’t take long for her to realize that art was her favorite subject to teach, once again witnessing the power and joy of creativity. In 1995, she shifted from classroom teacher to opening her business teaching art classes and camps out of her first (of 3) backyard art studios. Soon thereafter she started teaching art in Berkeley public schools.
In the process of immersing herself in art for teaching purposes, she also began doing her own art again. She focused for years at a time in various media: jewelry making, acrylic painting, kiln formed glass, and encaustic collage. Since 2020, she has been working primarily in acrylic paint, incorporating gelli prints and painted papers to add depth and textures to my work. The pandemic’s silver lining was more time in the studio and more time in nature. Lucy’s love of trees is lifelong, so it was her great joy to find ways to incorporate tree and botanical imagery into her art. When she isn’t busy teaching, you can find Lucy in her studio or on the trails.
Artist Statement
Creating a painting is a bit like a walk in the woods for me. I approach my art with a sense of adventure, using experimental techniques along with tried-and-true methods. My curiosity drives me, and I’m always hoping for a surprising and delightful discovery. A key component of my art is the use of monoprints created using a gel plate. I create prints on translucent papers with plants that I encounter on my walks and other adventures. Using these prints and multiple layers of both clear and pigmented paint, my mixed media works celebrate both the wonder of art making and the beauty of nature. I hope this exhibit encourages you to take a closer look at both art and nature – and perhaps inspires you to notice something new growing by the side of your next trail (or sidewalk).
