the Artwork of LL LePere
Artist Statement
Intention & Influence
Having trained in archaeology and geology and later becoming a birder, I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors, always observing. I marvel at the diversity of the natural world and it is the main inspiration for my work.
Especially the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona and northern Mexico. I fell in love with it when I moved to Arizona for its archeology. Surveying for sites and working on excavations brought me in direct contact with its unique nature. Although many people see lack of life, there is a profusion of plants and animals well adapted to the dry environment. But I must admit I love even the rocks—the bones of the earth that are more easily seen in the desert.
Striving to be a keen observer of my subjects, I aim to capture the details that define their essence whether I ultimately depict them realistically or stylized. Through the process of observation and its translation into art, I feel connected to the subject, be it flora, fauna, or the earth itself. I create for the joy the connection brings, but I also want to share that feeling. My hope is that my work will ignite curiosity: that the viewer will wonder as I do in something not known before or see new things in what is familiar. And perhaps be moved to protect them.
Process
I work in many media, sometimes singly, sometimes together. My love of detail means I often gravitate toward media such as colored pencil and clayboard that are perfect for making tiny marks. But I am not a purist by any means. I will use whatever materials can best achieve my vision.
My work often includes polymer clay--the modeling equivalent of acrylic paint. The material captured my imagination with its range and richness of mixable color, a multitude of textural possibilities, and the way it accepts a variety of surface treatments. It is easy to work with since it cures at low temperatures. Although fine details can be achieved, it acts to balance my tendency to depict minutia.
With it I can create work that emerges from the flat plane. My goal is unity between the flat and dimensional elements of a composition. I enjoy the challenge of matching colors between mediums. I make sure the visual texture of the 2D elements works with the patterns in the clay and its physical texture. The structural integrity of the piece must be planned and achieved. I rarely repeat a process exactly, so each piece is to some degree experimental.
Often considered just a child’s plaything, the medium’s use by accomplished artists has been growing over the years. I challenge myself to elevate my work to that higher level.