Deena's Artist Exposed

AprTue 2010 Filed in: Deena's Artist Exposed

Julian Lesser

Studio: Luman Gallery 221 East 60th St., (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves)
Website: julianlesser.com
Email: julian@julianlesser.com

THE SHOWCASE:
Bio: (b. 1982) Julian Lesser, born and raised in New York, received his BFA from New Paltz University with a concentration in painting. It was there that Lesser found his true voice and ability to capture his mind, consciousness and personality in the tangible form of paintings. In 2005 Lesser moved to New York City where he currently lives and works, creating art and exhibiting throughout the country. Lesser brings a love of color and exploration to his pieces, incorporating the energy and rush of his surrounding environment. Inspired by his own life and journey for truth and purpose, Lesser's work portrays the many facets of the human condition. By focusing on basic virtues, Lesser's work breaks down walls and manages to transcend gender, sexuality and race, making his paintings accessible to the broad public.

Luman Gallery
221 East 60th Street Between 2nd and 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021

Calvin Tran
246 Mulberry St. New York, NY 10012-4105
Gallery Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm; Sun: 12pm-6pm

Bobby Berk Gallery
59 Crosby (between spring and Broome) New York, NY 10012
Gallery Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am-8pm; Sun: 12pm-6pm

THE ARTIST STATEMENT:
I paint what I know and what I feel, using abstracted figures and landscapes to reflect the human condition. Through emotional expression and diverse aesthetics I share my personal subjects and stories with the intention of reaching a broad public. I believe that we all experience the same thoughts and feelings along our journey through life, each of us having the same spiritual core. Human beings have more in common than we often think.
With boundless colors, patterning and textures, my work is dense, filled with history and emotion. Through a wide range of processes and techniques, including drawing, painting, pouring and sculpting, my works become multi-layered compositions imitating the complexity of life.
Stemming from my need for growth, self-reflection and expression, my work is ultimately a tool for the public. I want to inspire people and make them feel; not just view my work as a reflection of me and as an aesthetic product, but to look deeper inside themselves. My art is open and honest, something I achieve by not holding back, rethinking, or covering anything up. I hope this purity encourages people to trust themselves and live their lives in the same way I make art and to reflect upon their own human experience and condition.

THE EXHIBIT:

City of the Setting Sun
7"x8", Acrylic paint, ink and resin on paper mounted on pine
Copyright © 2006-2010 Julian Lesser
future garden eagles flight

Future Garden 2: Eagles Flight
11"x12", Acrylic paint, ink and resin on paper mounted on pine. $1,000.
Copyright © 2006-2010 Julian Lesser

Yellow Cosmos
7"x7.5", Acrylic paint, ink and resin on paper mounted on pine
Copyright © 2006-2010 Julian Lesser

THE WORKSPACE:
My studio: I work in Astoria, Queens, right outside of Manhattan. I love seeing the city from outside. When I’m in it I forget how big it is, but that’s impossible when I look at the mass of buildings from across the East River. When I travel into the city on the raised subway, see the skyline and think, “Wow, look what we’ve done. Look what we’ve imagined and built and live in.” It’s astounding.

Being an artist in New York means endless inspiration. Everywhere you turn is another person, building, piece of art, taste, smell.   So many people, so many opinions, and so many backgrounds - the possibilities are endless.

Getting out and traveling is vital to my work. Seeing new places inspires me--how different people live and think is eye-opening. It becomes a mirror for me to examine my own existence, life, values and motives. I enjoy working on the road, so I bring small boards of wood and a pad with me when I travel.

But back to my studio in Astoria – it’s wonderful. Light streams in through the east-facing windows and continues coming through the southern windows all day. The loud noises on the street below remind me that I am not alone. The world is bigger than I, and I’m just trying to make it better.

Tags: Deena, Art, Artist