Neighborhood Notes

Featured Resident Artist

Clement Lee, Pinnacle resident and abstract painter.

A native of China, Clement Lee grew up in Hong Kong, where his early art experience consisted of Chinese painting, calligraphy and drawing. Now Portland-based, Lee is currently focusing on representational and abstract painting in acrylic and mixed media.

Meet Clement at our champagne reception, August 2.

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I'm always impressed by the talent(s) of my neighbors. I think it's great that Hoyt Street is recognizing a neighbor at its First Thursday celebration. Kudos!

Clement was kind enough to answer a few questions about his artwork via email and he also sent several photos of his work. I hope that many of you will attend this show and support a truly LOCAL artist.



The First Thursday invitation alludes to previous art experience in China. Can you tell us about your experience as an artist? How long have you painted? Is the work you are showing at First Thursday a new medium for you or have you worked in it for a while?

My father was a scholar of Chinese literature and calligraphy. I studied Chinese painting and calligraphy in Hong Kong. I also enjoyed pencil sketching and drawing and used to keep a sketch book with me at all times. When we moved from Hong Kong to Brazil, I spent a lot of time sketching aboard the ship. Unfortunately I no longer have the sketch books.

Art has always been a part of my life, but practicality set in after high school and I went into college studying electrical engineering and later moved into technical marketing. Since I retired one and half year ago, I have the time and patience to go back to my art. I have taken many classes at PNCA and PSU and am now devoting full time to painting.

I am currently painting with acrylic, which is a new medium for me and abstract painting is new to me as well. Being an engineer and with good engineering drawing background, I am much more comfortable with representational paintings than abstract painting. However, abstract painting has helped me become more creative.



Can you tell us about the show - does the work have some sort of unifying inspiration? What does inspire your work?

There is no unifying inspiration behind these works other than expressing my emotional state at the time. I wanted to disconnect from my surroundings and let my brush take me along.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

My favorite Chinese artists are Zhang Da Qian (Chang Ta Chien) and Qi Baishi (Chi Bai Shih), two of the most famous Chinese painters in the 20th century. Chang Ta Chien was an acquaintance of my father’s when we lived in Brazil. My favorite western artists are Matisse, Franz Kline and a local artist Mona Cordell. Also Brazilian painter Carybe.



How has living in the Pearl impacted you as an artist? or does it?

There’s so much art in the Pearl—it’s everywhere you look. Not just the galleries, but in the parks, in coffee shops, on the streets, in the architecture. In addition, the proximity of PNCA, PSU constantly exposes us to art and that provides great incentive for me to become a better painter.

What is/was your 'day' job and how did your creativity get expressed there? Is painting your true passion?

When I was working in high tech, I was responsible for new product definition and that requires a lot of innovation and creativity. But painting and drawing remain my true passion.