Lee Kromschroeder

Lee Kromschroeder has been creating worlds on canvas since he was four. Many of these early paintings reflected the interests of other children growing up in Southern California, the ocean before him, the mountains nearby and, of course, rocket ships. But these typical subjects were supplemented with something more. Kromschroeder's grandmother broadened his world by teaching him the finer skills of painting and sculpture and introducing him to the Masters through her library of books on the arts.

Painting since those early days has fascinated Lee and has given him a sense of freedom. The support and encouragement of his grandmother and the rest of his family fostered a strong belief in himself and the significance of art. This proved ever useful with the rigors of training at San Francisco State University. Lee realizes now that he has dyslexia, but that did not prevent him from graduating with cum laude honors with a bachelor of fine arts degree. His formal education may be the foundation of his art, but developing his skills and studying his subjects continues to play a major role in his creations.

Approaching his paintings like a researcher, artist Lee Kromschroeder works with the heart of a purist and the mind of a realist. Whenever possible, he collects his own reference material by observations, field sketches, notes, and taking photographs. Thus far in his career, he has traveled to Asia, Africa, South America, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the United States for this personal perspective. But to ensure a true representation, he often refers to wildlife behaviorists, nature specialists, and subject studies for suggestions and opinions.

Lee's artworks are composites of this subject knowledge, the incorporation of natural movement and a remarkable use of light and color to create intriguing and inviting images. This process can take weeks, months and even years before he is truly satisfied with the results. If he is ever in doubt about a subject or the complementing components of a piece, he turns to other artists and trusted friends for the give and take of a good critique.

This critiquing process has always played an essential part in the evolution of Kromschroeder's artworks. He often looks to his wife Mary and their children. Lee enjoys the fact that his art is something they can participate in together. And, he states, "Sharing my ideas about nature with others, my family, and the public, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career."