Today we’d like to introduce you to Lewis Leung.
Hi Lewis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I retired two and a half years ago from a 30-year visual journalism career in medium-sized and major metropolitan newspapers such as The Star Tribune, Denver Post, The Orange County Register, etc.
Not long after my retirement, I decided to go back to my love of creating art on my own. My interest in mushroom foraging four years ago made me leap forward for something bigger; I created an art studio focused on fungi art.
Sporesart is a home-based art studio. I specialize in creating fine art by extracting powder-like mushroom spores that are equivalent to the seeds of plants, but small like flour powder. I use their form and pattern, called spore prints, to create artwork that captivates audience attention, imagination, and emotion.
The themes of my art range from abstract to reality, issues that are facing our Earth, for example, climate change. Even out-of-this-world fantasy is not an exception as a subject. Adding materials from nature, plus a touch of traditional painting and photography has landed the art pieces in unexpected visuals. Interestingly enough, there is no “usual” mushroom caps shown in my artwork. The final digital edit becomes a venture that I call a “sporestacular” journey.
Within the last two years, I have participated in local juried art fairs such as Stone Arch Bridge Festival, City of Lakes Art Fair, and a few others. Many art fair goers see my work as very creative and that they have never seen that anywhere else. So I told them, “Enjoy the art, and be stirred!”
You can see my artwork at www.sporesart.com
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Never smooth path in this second career or passion of any kind, as a matter of fact.
I’m dealing with a mystery creature that I have never known much about until I got my feet wet. Many characteristics of wild mushrooms and their natural habitats, or even the weather, are related to when and how to find them; it is just not easy. A lot of trial and error over the last two years. Sometimes, the art piece got ruined by carelessness when handling them because they can be fragile and messy, but it is all fun in every experiment; “you never know what you’re gonna get” is what I enjoyed. Learning from mistakes and finding solutions that lead to unexpected outcomes have added to my own satisfaction. It isn’t easy for any artist to duplicate my work, though.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been a designer, graphics artist, and illustrator for 40 years in commercial design and visual journalism, including publication and newspaper design.
My skill set involves art and design software throughout my career, such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and many other art software.
What sets me apart from other designers is my depth of knowledge in creativity. But what is more important in my career is the conceptual thinking of turning an abstract subject of thought into a practical way for the audience to understand; a problem-solving mental process is a must.
In my whole creative career, my discovery of using mushroom spores to make colorful and beautiful art that wows the public is nothing to compare with. I’m having the best time of my life.
What’s next?
I hope one day my art will be seen more by the public, and even in bigger galleries, even though I have been to a gallery for a solo exhibition just two months ago. For now, I may be just ahead of the curve, where 99% of the population has never noticed or heard about such a medium existing. But I’ll be patient.
Pricing:
- Prints, unframed or framed, $40 – $500, depending on the sizes and materials that the art is printed on.
- Originals are from $150-$600, depending on the size.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sporesart.com
- Instagram: Lewis.leung55@instagram
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560585142969
