There are three aspects that go into each live painting performance: Design, Theatrics, and Execution.
Design: The design most often starts with the theme of the event. Lee will often do numerous sketches to develop the images that will be used for the performance. If the images being created are particularly complex or challenging he will create smaller mock ups or do full out practice runs.
Theatrics: During the performance there are often ways that he can start the image in one direction and later pull the image in an entirely different direction. Also there is a narrative developed by the order that the images appear. This narrative can be different than what one sees without watching the image being created.
Execution: The dyes want to flow through the silk. Lee guides them using timing and gravity. His technique is almost a controlled spill of the dyes onto the surface of the silk. The dyes will continue to move even after he has lifted his brush. This flow is what allows him to move quickly and create complex images in a very short amount of time. |
