Santa Paula Blanchard Library, Shively Wall
Art Show to be hung July 28, 2012

“Lee Hodges, Lynne Farrow, and the Lighthouse Ladies”

For the past 15 years I (Lee) have been creating collage/acrylic artwork on Biblical themes that are designed to intrigue the viewer and encourage them to reflect on eternal truths. People tell me the images, combined with text, are compelling and rich in subtle color harmonies. However, in this show I am showing some of my own artwork, some art that I create with the Lighthouse ladies, and some of the artwork that they create.

For several years now Lynne and I have been doing artwork with the ladies who are at the Oxnard Rescue Mission Lighthouse, a 15 month faith-based program for women recovering from substance abuse. The artwork is therapeutic, as Lynne, a retired marriage and family therapist, offers guidance and suggestions as to the underlying messages and metaphors in their artwork. Lee acts as the technical and artistic guide, joining the ladies as they create, chatting and sharing with them as friends, and fellow pilgrims.

In my artwork, I often recycle paper and plastics that are cast off by our throw-away society, making a redemptive statement with the very materials I choose. Very often, the ladies at the Lighthouse feel isolated and cast-off by families and society, and we endeavor to help them find a place in their minds where they are free to enjoy a healthy and uplifting activity, that will not have hurtful consequences. Artwork and emotion is processed on the right side of the brain, and cognitive thinking is done on the left side. Lynne and I have found that helping these ladies to express themselves through paint, paper, beads, etc, enables them to process and integrate both sides of their brains and their thoughts in a new way.

My original artwork and those available as giclee prints as well as jewelry can be seen on my website: www.LeeHodgesArt.com and at the Art Gallery of Grace at 1560 E. Main St, Ventura.
I welcome visitors: Call 805 302 3167 for hours.