Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Christ, by Alma Lee



Christ was done through the combination of fratal and digital illustration. The Fractal aspect was created in ArtMatic 5 and the illustration in CS6. Christ has been a favorite subject for me for many many years. Partly because I am a Christian, but more importantly the Christ I love is the most expressive of all subject, the bible tells us that he suffered all the things that we do and more, and I believe that love, sorrow,fear,joy and laugher were all evident through his eyes alone.
About this Art
size: 20×10″
media: digital illustration, fractal and mixed media
subject: Christ
style: expressionism

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Pathogen of Pain

I had started this drawing with a different theme, alien species to be exact.  Then just as it title suggest it took on a life of it own and entered my realm.  Chronic pain suffers know this routine very well, we didn't plan for it, or on it, and yet it can become an interegal part of our lives, constantly demanding it own way, and if we let it it's own day, week, month.  We try not to, but we will pick our battles, and then by the grace of God we will win the war.

About this art:
size: 10x20"
media: digital illustration incorporating fractals
subject: pain,woman

Pathogen of Pain by Alma Lee




CPat                      

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Huge Savings on Alma Lee Cube-A-Kitties!!

I am auctioning off some  of Cube-a-Kitty  paintings this week, most half off or better!  I need to make some room in my studio so when I can clear a chair in there, sale prices will be gone!lol The items go on the block at 7 PM PST check it out:Sale Auctions!!!

Kitty Gone Tubin'

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I doing a tutorial on painting in Photoshop cs6.  My favorite part is the fact that I don't get any paint on my fingers.  Here I used a photograph from my friend Karla Buckley taken in France, as my reference photo.  I created a couple of brushed within Photoshop, one make from pic of willow leaves, land another I used for over all blending.  I warn you once you start making your own brushes in Photoshop it is addictive, but certainly worth the effort.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A few weeks ago I finally broke down and bought the ArtMatic 5™ program.  I am trying to read the tutorial but is is very difficult with all thouse shiny things on the screen in front of me.  So I have decided to read as I go along.  Here are some of my early results.

Title: Headdress
size: 10x20"
Media: Digital illustration created in ArtMatic 5™



Title: Echoes of Gustave Klimt
size: 10x20"
Media: Digital illustration created in ArtMatic 5™



Friday, September 21, 2012

Art Appreiciation 101


ART APPREICIATION 101
By Alma Lee

I am an artist. It has taken me several years to say that sentence and stop at the period.  I always had to add a qualifier. Somehow I tried to make my profession palatable to the population at large. These days I see the world of art and my place in it differently. I realized that being an artist is defined not by what we do but is simply who we are.  There is nobility in that and a certain authenticity in that that pleases me. I see artists as humans interacting deeply and intimately, with the world, out of the deep and feral need, a need rising out of circumstances within our lives. It is the literal drawing on our response to life’s circumstances. Sometimes from a place of great joy, sometimes from a place of great wounding, art becomes our only balm. Within this feral need is the source of a great gifting. And artist’s gifting lies in the ability to convey what cannot be spoken with words in conversation, or literature, a personal look into not only the thoughts and perceptions of the artist but adds another previously unseen dimension. That is the gift, and that is the job description of an artist.

Being an artist comes with great challenges also. One being a sincere homage to the divine creator of that gift. Being thankful not only the capacity, but the love and generosity of God when he entrusted me with that gift. The 2nd challenge of course is remaining true to my vision, my art, and myself and not be swayed by the popular, politically correct and socially proper definition of what is art. Lastly artists have an obligation the art's audience. An artist must be careful not to mislead patrons down a trail of folly (unless folly is the subject and purpose) and frivolity with out substance. Nor should the audience be led down a dark path without the artist shedding at least enough light to navigate the patron in the direction of enlightenment and salvation.

All of this sounds heady, self-serving I suppose. But that is only because of how we as a culture have come to devalue art. In civilizations present not long ago artists were entrusted with identifying, mapping and guiding the paths of culture, enlightenment, and in a sense prophesy. Patrons looked to the artists, poets and philosophers, for instruction, empowerment, and encouragement in the building, restoring and reforming of their lives into higher and better forms. But today some have reduced the role of art to the decoration of our homes, our rooms, our furniture, even our tissue boxes, and call that art. I would go so far as to say as a culture we have come to regard art as a nominal part of our being. We take it for granted. It has always been there. We use it as a pseudo-antidepressant. It is there for no more than our passing enjoyment. Art’s highest calling is to make our material goods pretty. Do you think I'm being harsh? Let me ask when was the last time you bought a sofa to match your favorite painting? When have you ever hung a single piece of art on your wall alone not in a grouping if for no other reason that it moves you to a place that abhors clutter? A piece of art that so spoke to your mind body and spirit that you could not bear the encroachment of a single frivolous companion?

I have been guilty myself a hedonist of pretty. Pretty is not of course opposed to art. Art is beauty; otherwise we would never even stop to look. I am of the opinion however that beauty is both the import and symptom of art, not its final destination or purpose.

We devalue our artists also. We relegate them in our minds as quirky little beings with a flair for art. We call them hobbyists, crafters just to keep them in their place should they attempt to aspire to more. We tell them how wonderful they are how we enjoy what they do. We tell them what a great fan we are of their “work”, and then ask them for a discount or a donation for our most important cause. Artists are people and people by nature will go where they are celebrated and produce their highest work in that environment. Artists are no different than CEOs, doctors, or celebrities. In fact they're no different than you, they go to work every day, whether they  “feel like it” or not. They put in long hours, have families, responsibilities both relationally and financially and they do their level best to meet all of their obligations. Isn’t that true for everyone.

I say these things not in way of complaint, or to incite sympathy, but in hopes of engendering a well deserved, long overdue, respect for art and its practitioners living among us, providing valuable and vital service to our communities ask well as our hearts. And I ask you to buy art from your local artists. Buy originals, and hang them in a place of honor. If you can't afford originals, don’t ask for unreasonable discounts; instead ask them about available print and reproductions. Support their businesses and they will support yours.

Sunday, July 15, 2012


Pop Surrealism
I have been looking into this ever since I ran into the term while trying to find a genre that my art truly fit. Wikipedia defines Pop Surrealism as: Lowbrow, or lowbrow art,[1] describes an underground visual art movement that arose in the Los Angeles, California, area in the late 1970s. Lowbrow is a widespread populist art movement with origins in the underground comix world, punk music, hot-rod street culture, and other subcultures. It is also often known by the name pop surrealism. Lowbrow art often has a sense of humor - sometimes the humor is gleeful, sometimes impish, and sometimes it is a sarcastic comment.[2] I almost clicked away when the first words I read were Lowbrow. That seems such a derogatory term. Where as the definition of Lowbrow is: 1. A person who is uninterested, uninvolved, or uneducated in intellectual activities or pursuits. This term may describe the Art establishments. Assessment to the genre’s work in general but It certainly certainly does not describe the pop surrealist art I have seen. Some of the leading artist in this genre are Mark Ryden, Gary Panter, Robt Williams and Vicky-Knowles demonstrate something quite different. Take one look at Greater Concerns than Mere Puppetry by Robt Williams http://www.robtwilliamsstudio.com/, Mark Ryden’s Saint Barbie http://www.lunch.com/Reviews/d/Mark_Ryden-Photos-1587410-Mark_Ryden-469950.html?pid=0or the set design for Pee Wee Hermans Playhouse by Gary Panter, or Alice in Wibbleland by Vicky Knowles, http://www.ebsqart.com/Artist/Vicky-Knowles/7/Art-Portfolio/Alice-in-Wibbleland/568646/. and you will not convince me of anything if the fact they are deeply involved with pop culture. Their art work requires complete immersion, observation sometime to the point of discomfort, in order to convey the symbiotic relationship of art culture and the world at large Having read this far I will bet you are asking “What is the Difference between Pop surrealism and Surrealism?” Again Wikipedia defines Surrealism as: “Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings.” itself with the workings of the human mind and psyche. Allow me to suggest that Surrealism expresses itself through aid of an altered state lens, whether in a dream state, or drug induced. It is an altered reality. Pop Surrealism expresses itself through a heightened reality, depicting the unseen consequences, results and catalysts connected with every scene and vision. Pop Surrealism is to reality, what Science Fiction is to Science As for myself and my place in the Pop Surrealism Movement, I have been hooked since I took a painting class with Norbert Kox http://exhibitsnhkox.homestead.com/tohellandback.html I don’t believe either he or I had ever heard the term Pop Surrealism, but he sure had mastered it. I knew the man to hold strong Christian beliefs because of our conversations, but I saw the series coming to live in his current project in which he was undertaking the task of visual interpretation of the book of Revelation. When my eye moved to the center of the painting there sat the image of Reggie White Packer Footbal Player also widely know as a Christian) on the throne reserved for the anti-Christ. In total confusion I asked him why would he cast Reggie in that like to which he replied “oh I don’t think that he is the anti Christ, but more people sit in their easy chairs watching him play on a Sunday morning, than do those who fill the pews on a Sunday morning…THEY apparently think he is god! So I am looking into the lighter side of Pop Surreaism, the unexpected, surprising and lovely side with some of my favorite pets and though. I may not cross over with you but I’ll try get you to the door.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

I use to feed my kitty fish, day and night he whines for it.  Then I decided to teach him to fish, it has made everyone's life a whole lot easier...well sort of



Thursday, April 26, 2012

Cat Lover, by Alma Lee

It is all done Cat Lover, by Alma Lee.  It took a bit, but I wanted to get it just right.  I love the expression on the woman's face...she knows shes got and got it bad.  It is currently listed here, lets hope it drys before it sells. Cat Lover Painting auction Alma Lee

Monday, April 2, 2012

Mini Canvases by Alma Lee

When I was a little girl my Mom had an artist friend, and she painted all these lilttle mini pictures on hard board and built these little easels to sit on. When we were going through Mom and Dads Estate we ran into them again so I took them home. Then my husband and I were shopping for art supplies and I happened to look up and there on a shelf were these mini canvases with accompanying easels. I could not resist. Here are my first two: they are 2.5"x3 and 3x3" in size.


Sunday, March 25, 2012

Top 10 ways to spot a Forgery

THE TOP 10 WAYS TO TELL IF YOUR PURCHASE IS A FORGERY

1.Is the seller listed as living in the United States? If so don't stop there, if they list their email or telephone number check it out on one of the numerous reverse address search sites (I use spokeo.com) find out where that cell phone or email address is really coming from. If it is listed as coming from anywhere but the location they provided in the listing be wary!)


2. It seems obvious but check to see if they have multiple listings of the same original, on the same site.


3.If the price is less than $1.50 per square inch from a well known artist is is a bootleg.


4. Check to see if the artist is listing under the "direct from artist." Contact seller and ask if he/she can tell you anything about the origins of the painting and what inspired him/her to paint it. Or "are you the Artist?" If you get a no, or I don't know for either of those questions, walk away.


5.If they are listing it as signed by artist ask whose signature is on the painting. Enter that name into Goggle and if can find a website, email/phone number contact them and find out if the seller has permission to sell their work and ask the questions listed above in #4. Again anything seems out of place it probably is.


6. Type in the ebay search some of the keywords that describe the art you are interested in and check to see if there are similar works being sold. If they are priced higher, that may be your original artist. Contact them (most artists are more than happy to talk with potential clients and fully appreciate a tip concerning a possible bootleg.


7.Ask the seller, via email if they have any other art for sell. If they respond check the spelling and grammar in their reply. Yes we all make typos but too many is a red flag.


8.Check toward the end of the listing for some fine print that says something similar to this "* Although this painting is an original that is painted and signed by the artist, there are several examples/interpretations of this painting that are very similar in design. These reproductions are also painted and signed by the original artist" (Make sure you inquire as to whether or not these are actual originals, as the same painting done twice or mere a Giclee'), limited edition, or where an artist (not the original artist) paints over the copy, with a clear texturing agent to appear as a painting.


9.If the title of the Auction says Original and the 1st sentence in the ad is "this is not a print" that is a sure sign that it is a print.


10.Check out the Sellers store, if he is selling more than 10 non art items, or his store is listed with a non-art related title he is not an artist. Artist may sell other things with their accounts occasionally but true artists sell primarily ART. Check the feedback to see how much of the positive feedback is coming from Art Sales. If they are going to consistently sell other things they will open a different store.
For Further reading on copyright infringment, ect concerning ebay, I recommend:

CHECK OUT CURRENT Alma Lee AUCTIONS

Alma Lee Art is one of the most Forged art on the internet. Every effort is made to prosecute the bootlegger to the fullest extent of the law. Widespread, and largely un-prosecuted crime the key is quick action. If you find any forgeries while surfing please let us know.

MOST RECENT BOOTLEG
Found on EBAY
Original is SOLD, No Licensed prints Contracted.


Friday, March 16, 2012

Cat Lover: a Work in Progress


Thought it was about time for a WIP. This is graphite washable pencil, applied directly on prepared canvas. For now I am calling it Cat lover.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Analog to Digital, 2 new drawings cont



Greeting Dawn, left, was done because I so liked the compostion. I used graphite and washable graphite on Bristol paper. I was working on another project when my computer made a digital error in photoshop, I have no idea what happened but I saved it because I loved the colors. The more I looked at it the more I had to try to "save it" I ran several filters in Photoshop and then inserted Greeting Dawn within it's layers, as I saw the image on the right unfolding I knew this would be the final combination. Strange Passions, by Alma Lee

Strange Passions
Greeting Dawn

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Analog to Digital, 2 new drawings



I got the idea that there just might be a second life to my drawings. I started with my abstraction color pencil drawing of the San Antonio Central Library. I then pulled the finished "analog" drawing into Photoshop and applied a number of filters and layer blends I then drew in some pasta, and added a fork and Voila we have, Anticipation, the pasta bowl. If you look real close you will see parts of the original drawing in there. It was a lot of fun, and though I don't think that it is going to work with all "analog" drawing, I do think you will be seeing more of it from me.

Saturday, February 4, 2012


On the left Original DaVinci,
on the left my Homage to Da Vinci Princess

The other night we were watch a program on public TV. The subject was a newly discovered piece of art that they were try to figure out whether or not it was a Da Vinci. (I believe it is) I absolutely could not take my eyes off off her, she is so young and tentative. They think that she was a princess who married at 13, later died of complications of her first pregnancy. They mentioned that Leonardo was the only well known renaissance who was left handed, therefore they felt that the direction of the lines along the eyes,nose, and lips could only have been made by a left handed artist. That bothered me, is it just me or do most artist turn the page while they are drawing. I wondered how hard that would be and whether or not is would be awkward for a right handed artist. All and all I do believe that they were correct in placing this amongst Leonardo's works for all the other reasons stated, however the left handed only stroke seems to be a bit of a reach for me. Once I got started I had to try to add some aging effects that were in the original. That was harder than the angled stroke.

About this art:
9x13"
color pencil and graphite
princess ascribed to Da Vinci
renaissance style

Sunday, January 15, 2012

I recently bought a book by Jill K.Berry it is entitled: Personal Geographies Explorations in Mixed Media Map Making. Here is the first entry in my life mapping.


To see the other entries I started a Alma Lee Sketchbook 2012 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alma-Lee-Sketchbook-Project-2012/289373714447601?v=wall&sk=wall