Brian Lemke, fine oil painter
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I started my career as a graphic designer in the art studios and advertising agencies of Detroit and San Diego. In 1990, I opened my own studio and have since created thousands of commercial illustrations, brands, marketing materials and a number of award winning graphics. After many years of working in the digital design era, my desire to push paint around instead of a mouse brought me back to the classroom where I picked up oil again for the first time since college. Studying under renown landscape painter Stuart W. Burton has given me an opportunity to seriously explore painting again. Painting for the last few years and a new association with the San Diego Art Institute has produced a surprising amount of success that I continue to build upon. I've been to Guatemala 6 times in the last few years working with United by Friendship, a non profit organization. The last year in painting has been about focusing on the people I met and lived with during those trips. Their way of life is rapidly changing with the improvement of the road to their remote region in the town of Uspantan. My hope is to capture their hard working spirit and show this proud community during their time in transition. It has been a honor to know them and call them friends. Starting in 2011, the Guatemalan series was represented by La Antigua Galeria de Arte in Antigua, Guatemala. I've also spent a fair amount of time in Santa Fe New Mexico at our second home. A number of these paintings are from photos taken on various visits. New Mexico creates a color pallet painters haven't been able to resist for many years. Now I know why. |