New Jersey Stage Issue 59 | Page 100

“experience” that truly sets him apart. Other than on special occa- sions, how often can one meet the artists behind the work? “I’m just placing myself in their shoes,” continued Lance. “If I walk around here and see an artist painting on an easel, I’d probably go up and try talking with them. This is unique. For the most part, throughout my life I’ve been my own entrepreneur and sold my works myself. There’s the old say- ing, ‘No one can sell your artwork better than the artist.’ We know what we’ve done. Thank God for the Internet because it empowers more artists to do that and sell for themselves.” In addition to his landscapes and city scenes, Lance has been doing commissions for the past decade as well. Somewhat ironically his first big commission came shortly NJ STAGE - ISSUE 59 after being laid off at an art gallery when he was living in Sante Fe. He had put up an ad on Craig’s List and received a call asking if he wanted to do a mural for some- one’s home. At the time, he had never done a mural before but over the course of a few weeks he created his first. He says he re- mains friends with the people who commissioned it and they’ve since purchased additional pieces over the years. “I would love to do more com- missions,” said Lance. “To me, it’s personal and it’s not going to hang around in your studio when it’s done, it’s going to someone’s home. That adds something to the work; it’s a different dynamic. For some reason, it makes me up my game a bit. It makes me work a lot harder knowing that somebody is definitely going to see this piece.” w INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 100