Lee, who stretches her own canvases, likes to begin work at her easel early in the morning and paint for most
of the day. “Painting takes focus,” she says. “You’re in another zone entirely.” “My mentors have shown me that I
need to let the paint do its stuff,” she says, and, “I’m trying to learn to be interpretive rather than be specific in
what I paint. Crisp colors are an important goal for me. I love to paint in oil, because it moves easily on the
canvas.”
She evaluates a pet photograph over a period of time, trying to perceive the animal's personality. Optimally,
observing the pet in person really helps her glean its essence. Its eyes and nose, she feels, communicate the pet's
soul
Capturing the essence of the pet's personality is foremost in her creative mind. The eyes and nose are really a
challenge; they communicate who these wonderful creatures are. After the first few brush strokes, Lee takes a
breather and stands back to assess the progress. Slowly, the beloved pet begins to take upon a life of its own. The
painting process is like a dance between Lee and the canvas, and develops into a dance between Lee and the painted
pet.
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