Elee Oak – Artist Statement
I have been studying my own childhood drawings since I was 22 in 1986. Like many artists, I have been trained to imitate the masters as part of my education. I have adopted the techniques I learned in order to better understand my own childhood drawings. I’ve practiced duplicating the line quality, revisited the storytelling process and relived the sensations with the intention of gaining insight into my child self. Slowly, I have become confident and use this insight in my daily work. Now these childlike elements come up effortlessly in my journal and other aspects of my work. In these mixed media works on wood panel, I incorporate the use of a matured, steady hand, experience and skill to honor Little Elee. By doing so the viewer is presented with an image that is both compositionally pleasing while at the same time intimately connected to an innocent and uninhibited awareness.
Resume
Education
1985-1988 School of Visual Arts - NYC- Sculpture Major
1983-1984 Art Center College of Design - Pasadena - Illustration Major
1982-1983 Minneapolis College of Art and Design - Painting Major
1979-1982 Des Moines Vocational Technical - Commercial Art Major
1975-1980 Des Moines Art Center - Adult level Arts Study
Exhibitions
Solo:
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2002 Rincon Congregational Church- Tucson AZ
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2002 East Miles Gallery- Tucson AZ
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2002 The Epic Café- Tucson, AZ
Group:
- 2006 Rising From Instinct, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, AZ
- 2005 SHE OBJECTS!, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, AZ
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2005 Drawing Studio, Tucson AZ, Group Sculpture Show
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2004 Arts Partnership Gallery, Tucson AZ
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2003 The Shane House, Tucson AZ, Group Show Women's Collective
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1988 Morgan Avenue Park, NYC, Sculptural Installation
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1988 School of Visual Arts, NYC, Sculpture Gallery
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1987 School of Visual Arts, NYC, Sculpture Gallery
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1986 School of Visual Arts, NYC, Sculpture Gallery
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1985 School of Visual Arts, NYC, Sculpture Gallery
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1983 Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Sculptural Installation
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1982 Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Elizabeth Biron/Elee Oak
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1981 Des Moines Art Center, Group Exhibition
Honors
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1982 Iowa State Fair “Best of Show” and “Honorable Mention” Youth Honors
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1982 1st Place in the State of Iowa Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Graphic Design Competition
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1981 1st Place in the State of Iowa Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Graphic Design Competition
Professional Experience
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2005-Present Instructor, The Drawing Studio, Tucson, AZ
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2005-Present Production Assistant, Miles Conrad, Tucson, AZ
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1975-Present Commissioned Portrait Artist, New York, San Francisco, Tucson
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1975-Present Production Assistant, New York, San Francisco, Tucson
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2000-2003 Instructor/Mentor, Art In Reality-Tucson, AZ
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2002-2003 Drawing Instructor, Muse, Tucson, AZ
