Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Mothes.
Lee, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I like to wander in my own world of images. At first it was a fascination with disasters, such as tsunamis, wild ocean storms, earthquakes and floods. Then I became fascinated by creating scenes of imagined coastlines and beaches, with old houses, then the insides of the old houses, looking out at the ocean.
These became what I call narrative paintings, where the coffee cup, the maps, the comic book collection, the old wicker chair and the open doors to the beach all tell stories that the viewer can interpret at will. The idea of narrative painting has grown into a much larger place that I wander around in. It has become a 12,000-square-mile island-nation with a multitude of paintings and maps. It has its own history, culture and the potential for many stories. This is far from complete.
The common thread behind all this is the ocean’s energy and beauty. In recent years my drawings and paintings have been more and more about ocean surf. I love how water captures sunlight, and how the waves shape the sand, and how all that energy is released with explosive blasts of spray.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make paintings and drawings of ocean surf and beaches. This is my way of sharing my connection with nature, especially the beauty of light on water and the energy of waves. In my current work, I’m exploring the movement of waves, and how they interact with all the forces around them. There is an essence here that I’m trying to capture, and I enjoy the process of continually discovering what that essence might be.
Also, I’m completing my imaginary-island project that has been in the works for about 20 years. A lonely 14-year-kid travels to The Commonwealth of New Island from California on a magic raft and experiences the island’s culture first-hand. He also learns a lot about the world in the process, about love and about certain forces in the Universe.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Don’t count on your current successful run of imagery to be popular forever – keep growing and changing your work. If it starts to become boring to you, then move on to something that brings new excitement!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My ocean drawings and paintings: www.oceansanddreams.com. My imaginary island: www.newisland.net (I have to fix this!) Here is a temporary link: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5167678029981389051#allposts
Contact Info:
- Address: Oceans and Dreams Studio:
127 West Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130 - Website: www.oceansanddreams.com
- Phone: 920-858-2636
- Email: mothesart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @leemothes
- Facebook: Oceans and Dreams
Image Credit:
Photo of me painting in studio – taken by Victoria Mothes, my wife.
Photo of me drawing at table – taken by Jill Logan, Jill Logan Galeria, Todos Santos, Mexico
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