Samuel Fleming Lewis

SAMUEL FLEMING LEWIS ARTIST STATEMENT

I am an American artist best known for my abstract mixed media works on paper, collage works on canvas, and blind contour portrait drawings.

The foundation of my work is collage. Incorporating my drawing or drafting methods with recycled printed materials, graphic design, and African art, I create collages. My collage pieces unite geometric shapes, abstracted forms, repetition, color, and patterns. I'm currently producing archival-quality digital monoprints by reinventing my collage, painting, and drawing works with new colors and compositions.

My abstract representations of what I see or feel in my mind's eye are my blind contour portraits. I have complete freedom to create abstract portraits thanks to the drawing technique. While studying faces on images or African masks, I use graphite pencil, ink, oil-stick, or acrylic markers. I also utilize my face or body as a model by touching it while drawing.

I want the handmade quality of my collages and drawings to attract the interest of viewers. As an artist, I produce vibrant graphic compositions that allow viewers to drift into the realm of artistic expression. Some o...

I have a natural talent for art and design. I’ve crafted my own educational path by taking art and design classes as needed to advance my abilities in my chosen fields. Mentors, intern positions, and professional experience, along with artist and artistic friends, have helped to mold who I am as an artist.

My professional experience includes:

SKIDMORE, OWINGS, & MERRILL, Architects, San Francisco: Intern job that led to being hired as an Interior Architect

UC BERKELEY Extension: Interior Design, Design Drawing, and History of Interior Design Classes

OTIS - PARSONS - Environmental Design Classes

Interior Designers Guild: Vocational School:
Interior Design, Design History

Los Angeles City College:
Art History and Fine Arts Classes

OTIS ART INSTITUTE:
Life Drawing classes with artist Charles White

DESERT OPEN STUDIOS
2022-2023 (Open Studio Tours)
LEWIS & KLADDER, Palm Springs, CA

2022 GARY WEXLER DESIGN, Lithograph Studio,
EXHIBIT of 23 COLLABORATIVE WORKS by
GARY WEXLER & SAMUEL FLEMING LEWIS

2022 POP-UP EXHIBIT: The Artists at The Galen
Palm Desert, CA

2022 ARTISTS COUNCIL EXHIBIT (Juried Exhibit)
The Artists at The Galen, Palm Desert, CA

2022 Baldwin Avenue Gallery, Sierra Madre, CA
Featured New Artist in a five artists group exhibit

2021 Desert Open Studios, Palm Springs, CA

2021 THE OTHER ART FAIR, Santa Monica, CA

2021 Nexus: Artists Council Members Exhibit,
The Artists Center, Palm Desert

2019 CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS, Artists Council
Exhibit, UCR Palm Desert

2019 GEOMETRY 101, Artists Council Exhibit, UCR
Palm Desert

2019 METAMORPHOSIS Inaugural Artists Council
Exhibition, Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm
Desert

2019 Joshua Tree Art Gallery, JTAG EXPO,
Juried group exhibit, Second Best In Show
award and prize.

2015–2020 LEWIS & KLADDER, Exhibits of new work
within a two-person studio/gallery that was open
daily

2013 ...