21 Aug LANE GREGORY – Fashion, Flowers, Fruit & Fantasy

Artist’s Statement

Biographical Statement

Growing up, I wanted to be two things – a ballerina and a fashion illustrator. The art won. I began my career in major department stores, first in Providence, then in Boston. Years later, when photography abruptly took over advertising art, I plunged into the freelance world and did work for clients such as Simplicity Patterns, Reebok, Highlights for Children, and advertising firms, as well as venturing into text book illustration for the school book divisions of publishing houses.

In 1997, I said goodbye to city life and made a much anticipated move to this beautiful island. Much of my work came with me but, once again, it was changing. Fashion work became nearly non-existent, and most text book illustration found a new home in computer art, which didn’t interest me. There’s something about feeling that brush in your hand.

Now, later life has brought yet another chapter that is, in many ways, even more rewarding than the others. Oils have become the new challenge. I see so much color in everything around me now. And my happiest days are spent at the drawing board, hand-painting illustrations for Kate Hancock’s fabulous children’s books, hopefully stimulating young people’s imaginations and contributing to their dreams of a career and life that pleases them as much as I enjoy mine.