The Things I Know About Mr. Lee

Day 29

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge by Leslie Saeta.

I've been thinking about this piece for a while. It's about Mr. Lee, the old man who used to live not far from us in that small run-down house, just round the corner of my kids' school. He doesn't live there anymore, and for some reason I miss him.

I've been passing by Mr. Lee's house a few times daily for seven years. If the weather was pleasant he would sit on the porch and watch the people come and go in their cars. When there was a storm brewing, I hoped he would be okay because the roof seemed not very reliable. And I always worried about him during the cold winter days.

He kept a few chairs and a card table outside, once in a while he had friends over to play dominoes.  A friend told me that he used to grow vegetables in a small plot across the street. He probably liked tomatoes. One time I noticed the bag of tomatoes that someone had left for him on his chair.

His name was not really Mr. Lee, I only called him that because he lived on Lee Avenue. I never knew his true name. We never talked. But a few years ago we started waving and smiling at each other.

After the long summer I realized that I hadn't seen Mr. Lee in a while. His house looked deserted. Some windows were opened, and it was obvious that someone had gone through his things. I wondered if Mr. Lee had died. Or maybe he is in a nursing home now, playing dominoes all day long.

Two weeks ago we found the house burnt down. The whole area smelled like barbecue. A wall had collapsed and revealed the leftovers of Mr. Lee's life. I often stop at the house for a moment which now is just a pile of debris fenced in by yellow caution tape.

Good bye, Mr. Lee. I hope you were a nice person because I miss you.

"The Things I know About Mr. Lee"
Acrylics, gesso, fly leaves, clippings from books and magazines, on canvas panel, 20" x 16" - I used an old domino for the block printing.


 

Pioneer

Day 28

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.

I just love how this piece has come together: Pacman is exiting the "New World" through the centerhole of the Columbia record sleeve to explore what's beyond.

I wonder, if the C in Columbia was actually meant to look like Pacman, or if that is just a funny coincidence.





"Pioneer"
Acrylics, record sleeve, book clippings, fly leaf, on canvas panel, 8" x 8"

Stand Up

Day 27

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge by Leslie Saeta.

Yesterday, I dropped off a few donation items at my favorite thrift store and, of course, I had to step into this paradise for a little while, too. I found a few very interesting things, among those an old copy of Robinson Crusoe which I already used today.

I made this little piece about the idea of liberty and the necessity and ability to stand up for your rights.

I incorporated several Robinson pages to make the house walls. I thought, the male neoclassical economic perspective reflected an accurate context for this hard working woman.
 
"Stand Up"
Watercolor, ink, pages and clippings from books and magazines, on watercolor panel, 12" x 12"

Make Contact

Day 26

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge by Leslie Saeta.

A while ago, I got a 70s cook book on "Variety Meats" at a library book sale. It's a fantastic book. Because every one of the suggested dishes looks questionable, to say the least, but the words to describe these creations are simply out of this world.

About the particular dish that I used in my piece, the caption said: "Sweetbreads and ham, with mushrooms and sherry sauce, served on toast, are elegantly presented under individual glass bells, to keep them moist and warm." Yes.

I wonder if people from outer space wouldn't confuse the glass bell with a UFO. I would, I certainly would.



"Make Contact"
Acrylics and book clippings on canvas panel, 16" x 12"

Prophylaxis

Day 25

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.

It's always good to be prepared.

"Prophylaxis"
Watercolor, ink, book clippings, on watercolor panel,  8" x 10"

Hit

Day 24

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge.


I used the photos of a 77 highschool yearbook for the background. I took some time looking at their faces, their crazy hairdos. I wonder about their friendships, do they still know each other? - The Smash sleeve also has "The Beat" handwritten on it. 

Inspired by my fears. 



"Hit"
Collage from yearbook pages, record sleeve, fly leaf, and book clipping, on canvas panel, 12" x 16" 

It's Not Too Late

Day 23

of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge by artist Leslie Saeta.

All is said and done, it seems. But then -

"It's Not Too Late"
Acrylic, ink, book pages and clippings, on canvas panel, 9" x 12"