the art of les etheridge

the artist

Raised in the heart of the mid-west in a small rural community, I always showed interest in artistic endeavors and worked with all mediums available to me. It seemed I was always drawing, painting, or creating something. In fact, I remember once making puppets out of old clothing, ping-pong balls and egg cartons just to be imaginative. Many people recognized my talent in art more than I did; to me, I was just having fun.

As the years went on I maintained my interested in art but never really did anything publicly until around 1994 when I had my first art show in the storefront window of the General Store in downtown Rock Island, Illinois. I didn’t sell a thing, but I loved the whole experience and the great feedback people gave. I was glad I put myself out there and got out of my “comfort zone.” But for reason that I forget now I put my passion aside again for another eight years.

After the sudden loss of my Father in 2000 and due to other uncertainties in my life I decided to go back to college in 2002 and pursue a higher education. After attending a local junior college for two years I decided to transfer to Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa to finish my degree.

I applied for an art scholarship and brought in over twenty-five pieces in different mediums. They liked the potential I demonstrated through my work and suggested that I switch my major to Fine Art instead of my original choice. I being a bit naïve and thinking in a more practical mode (very unlike me) inquired what would I do with a Fine Arts degree. The immediate response was “You would have openings and display your work in galleries.”

Well, I did not think that was practical or realistic at the time, but time has proven me wrong. In the past two and a half years I have shown in eight different art venues; one being in West Hollywood, California and most recently my first solo show at Dalessio gallery in downtown Los Angeles.

Also in these past two and a half years, out of the eighty-eight pieces I have shown I have sold thirty-three paintings and donated fourteen leaving less than half of the total work I have produced in showings at this time. I guess sometimes it is good to be wrong.