Q: Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
A: I was born in St Petersburg, FL. I grew up around the water and it’s always been a part of me. Sub tropical imagery is more in my bones than mountains and evergreens. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of painting water and you’ll find that represented in a lot of my work. A simple wave is actually quite complex to paint.
Q: Who are your biggest artistic influences?
A: Andrew Wyeth and James Rosenquist would be my biggest influences. Wyeth because he uses realism to design the canvas space while subtly manipulating the viewer’s eye. Rosenquist because of his big, bold pop statements.
Q:Where do you find inspiration?
A: From nature to the news and humanity. I’m an observer so I find inspiration everywhere. Current events, politics and humor are often incorporated into my work.
Q: Describe how art is important to society.
A: Art is vital to society. Without the creators, life would be dull and empty. Art can be evocative – from good, bad, pleasure, pain, warmth, cold – all of life’s experiences. Art makes us think. It is woven into everything – from the design of the couch you sit on to the glass you drink out of – the art we collect surrounds our most intimate lives. The art collector can tell a story about each piece. Like a favorite song, they could tell you where they were, what they were doing and what inspired them to invest in the artist.
Q: How do you collaborate with clients or other artists?
A: I get to know the client a bit, interview them about what they want and their goals for the project. If that inspires and excites me too, we come to some terms at a creative and financial level and what we’re trying to accomplish, we then move forward. The Lost Supper that I recently completed with Susanne Byram (currently hanging in The Left Bank Bistro) is a great example of that collaborative spirit. You learn from all your experiences.This painting was exceptionally interesting. While Susanne was involved in the process from the beginning, she gave me almost total creative control and I never felt I was micromanaged. We worked together extensively researching the subjects that we chose to be in this work that also adheres to a place and time in history. Accuracy in likenesses down to the very details of what someone’s eye color and cocktails were important details in this piece. While learning a great deal, I still had fun in the process. The most important thing about this project was getting a good composition while representing historical accuracy (getting true likenesses) for this piece that’s now a focal point of Susanne’s restaurant.
Q: How do you define success as an artist?
A: Maintaining that delicate balance of making a living doing exactly what I want to do and having people and collectors purchase and live with my work. It’s humbling every time I sell a painting. This art is my legacy. It’s important to me, what I leave behind – I’ll have a presence many years after I’m gone. I define success as consistently making a living, continuing with my craft, while doing what I love.
Q: Does art help you in other areas of your life?
A: Yes – it helps how I observe things – how I contemplate everything – life. The person I’m talking with, what they’re wearing – I look at it all through a visual lens. It’s helps me with other creative outlet as well – like music.
Q: How do you develop your art skills?
A: Practice. Practice. Practice and that’s the truth.
Q: Where can people see your work?
A: I have work in permanent collections in The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, The Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, The Left Bank Bistro in St Petersburg, as well as numerous works in the private collection of Tom and Mary James displayed in the Raymond James Corporate towers. (tours available)
Q: What do you have planned for the future?
A: I can never retire – nor do I want to. My goal is simply to make more art. I have projects lined up for the next two years. You can find out more by visiting my website at LanceRodgersArt.com or my Wikipedia page that’s updated regularly. •
