Past AND Present

COMPOSITIONS FROM TWO ONGOING SERIES CELEBRATE PEOPLE AND PLACES THROUGHOUT HISTORY

- Lee Alban

Everyone says that a painting tells a story. They also say that you put yourself into the painting. In the beginning I don’t think I understood that. I thought I was just creating pretty pictures.

My story begins at the end; the end of my high school teaching career, which as it turned out was the beginning of my career as an artist. I learned about the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, Maryland, a highly respected atelier that produces some of the most successful artists in the country. The classical program of instruction includes sculpture, watercolor, oil painting, anatomy, still life, figure and portraiture. Students also learn to stretch, prime and tone canvases; prepare traditional gesso for boards; produce paint from powder pigment; and make their own medium and varnishes. Most graduates are interested in oil painting, as was I.