Meet Lee Walters | Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lee Walters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lee, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk to me is a relationship that I have had to develop over a long period of time. Almost like that of an intimate relationship, risk often involves a lot of highs and lows. You learn which ones not to take part in, which ones to leap for and which are just plain toxic. To develop an understanding of any relationship one must be willing to get out there and experience by taking chances. To gain knowledge of oneself. This involves many ‘failures’.. but ‘mistakes’ are also fertile ground for you to pick yourself back up and realize which direction to head in. With time I began to see more clearly when a risk was worth taking or when I was pushing it too far. When I really started to become more serious about my art practice this looked like grabbing new mediums, new canvas sizes, different materials for canvases. Sometimes its about trying something new, even if what I’m working on in that moment isn’t necessarily broken. This ability of knowing when to take these risks really comes from being honest with myself, and in order to do this I really have to know myself. Pay attention. I pay attention when I feel like i’m creating something for anothers approval. When i’m trying to make excuses for my procrastination or fear. When i’m burnt out. I also know that when starting any new project there will usually be a period of discomfort. A dull ache of ‘messing it all up’. There are also the days where you feel on top of the world, only to walk in the next day and think..wait this isn’t right.This is not a problem, its all apart of the process. There are so many different highs, lows and neutrals that go into the act of creating that just about anyone can relate to. It applies to tasks as universal as making dinner or getting dressed. There are Michelin star chefs and fashion designers and I think just maintaining a laser focus on these interests and pushing themselves to keep getting better and better is the one true thing that propels these people in their careers. Risk can be paired with its best friend determination. Every rejection letter, word of praise, eye roll, adrenaline high and crashed out nap on a couch all become the same to me, for it all leads to the next moment. Who knows which low will actually in time become your high and vis versa? Risk to me is going for what my heart desires, as long as it doesn’t hurt any one in the process, and doing a gentle pat on the back and mental note when it works, a hug and pick up the pieces attitude when it doesn’t, and waking up the next day ready to start again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Im still trying to find my voice but there are definitely ‘themes’ that I keep coming back to in many, if not all of my pieces. These include finding ways to intersect interests of mine such as buddhist philosophy, musings of Carl Jung, writings of Kafka and Herman Hesse, my elementary understanding of quantum physics and Nicola Tesla and at the end of the day my own writings, dreams and life experiences. Right now i’m at a point where i’m coming out of a pretty rough year of self exploration. I believe this shows in the stack of unfinished paintings in my studio at the moment. I look forward to being able to somehow synthesize what worked and take that big leap into just going for it. Pushing myself a little harder to create a body of work that gets closer to whatever the heck i’m trying to say. I like to think i’ve always been a little bit impulsive as well as naive. This has been the launching pad for just as many successes as failures in my life so far. Im the kind of impulsive that first picked up a paint brush in community college at the age of 23 and decided within two months to become a painter. To be honest i was pretty horrible, but I loved it and thats really all that mattered to me at that moment. When I like something I jump in head first and this, matched with my work ethic, usually works out…as long as I don’t loose interest or get distracted.
Whats different about painting, or creating art for me is that it’s almost like releasing a pressure valve. I can explore any topic, thought, worry, fear, utopian vision or personal relationship that I want to. Focus on this subject/topic and through color, scale, medium, composition ect…have it teach me something about it that I didn’t even know was in the recesses of my subconscious. I think it has always been important for me to enjoy what I do, yet this ‘enjoyment’ should not be confused with being happy. Happiness, to me, is circumstantial…fleeting. I want to be content, and painting is an instant portal for me to hit that feeling and all its various expressions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love cafe hoping. Just going to any coffee shop I can find in the heat of the summer when the ac is loosing its edge at home and enjoying the unique vibe of each spot. Some of my favorites include ‘Black hole coffee house’ and ’93 til’. The former has an almost lived in feel with its mismatched chairs and a patio that just immanates good conversation while the later plays hand selected records..i believe they will also play any that you bring in but haven’t tried it myself yet,. I also love visiting the Menil, Rothko Chapel and although i’ve only been once would definitely revisit the Smither Park on Munger St. Im a sucker for thrift shopping at ‘Pavement’ or ‘Leopard Lounge’ and when I do you’ll almost always find me at either ‘Cafe Brasil’ or ‘Poison Girl’ after.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d Like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents for always supporting me even when they were terrified of where id end up in the end(they still are). My daughter for inspiring me everyday to get up and be the best me I can be and also showing me how essential and beautiful it is to be so vulnerable and love someone so much. And last but not least a shoutout for my boyfriend Brett who has truly been a wonderful passenger on this roller coaster ride of a life. Through mutual support of our dreams, ears and aspirations, showing me another layer of love and overstanding and in turn showing me a love and acceptance of myself in the process.

Instagram: @lee_walters11