Armed with only a palette and a paintbrush, artist Howard “Luke” Lucas will present ‘Paint Free, Be Free’ at the second 2nd Saturday ArtHop on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The public is invited to participate in painting a temporary mural on the north side of the building across the street from Old City Hall in downtown Redding.
“This way, people can tap into the power of creative expression,” said Lucas. “There are no judges, no committees, and no red pencil marks.”
The idea behind “Paint Free, Be Free”’ is to encourage people to paint without inhibition or self-consciousness.
“It’s my baby,” said Lucas of “Paint Free, Be Free.”
“It was one of those subconscious eruptions in the middle of the night.”
And a successful endeavor, indeed, as this ArtHop represents the 51st occasion Lucas has presented “Paint Free, Be Free” in the seven years since debuting the event. The last time, Lucas said, he went through more than 700 palettes of paint in one day.
“We give them a palette of primary colors and show them that you can make any color from those primary colors—pink, black,” he said.
“We try to encourage more than anything.”
It is obvious just from talking with Lucas that he has a passion not only for art but also for learning.
“Of course,” he said. “I’m an educator.”
Lucas taught for 32 years in the Bay Area, elementary and middle school math and science, as well as working as a resource specialist. But he has been an active, exhibiting artist for more than three decades. Lucas also maintains his involvement in the community.
He decided to move “home” to the north state where he has extended family. According to Lucas, he found a “little piece of heaven” in Viola. He owns and operates the Mt. Lassen Art Center, where he hosts and teaches workshops, classes and youth-oriented events, such as “Paint from the Heart,” which helps kids find their voice through art.
“It’s like a nexus for artists to connect,” he said of the art center.
“It’s like coming home for me, to live in the mountains and do what I love.”
If You’re Going:
ArtHop: find maps in Enjoy Magazine
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008
6 to 9 p.m.
Market Street, across from Old City Hall, Redding
