Rik Lazenby is the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in April.  The public is invited to the opening reception on April 8, 1:30-3:30 p.m., to view his inspiring paintings.  Admission is free.

Rik Lazenby specializes in creating works in both acrylic and mixed media at his studio in Hoover, Alabama.  Lazenby studied at the University of Alabama where he earned both Bachelor and Master’s degrees with an emphasis in art education.  His mentors were Alvin Sella, Frank Engle, Angelo Granata, Howard Goodson and Richard Zeollner.   Lazenby has participated in group and solo shows at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, the Mountain Brook Art Association Shows, Cahaba Brewery, Artists on the Bluff, the Shelby County Arts Council, and the Hoover Gallery.

Lazenby’s works are spiritually complex, but the messages are focused and simple: “Let your heart guide you to where the soul resides but always let the Spirit lead.”  This artistic compass is ever present in his work. He works with no road map or predetermined destination but is never lost.  Lazenby relies on encounters that take place along the way.  He does not believe in coincidences.  Each work is determined before he lifts his brush.  Each color is decided before the journey begins. 

“My art is constantly evolving with the development of new materials.  I have little control over where my next project will take me. There is excitement in not being in control, in moving forward without a road map, without knowing the end before it arrives,” Lazenby states.  “I constantly look behind me to see the markers that have been left behind.  These markers are all the evidence I need that I am moving in the right direction for my life.  I believe there are no coincidences in my life, only successes and failures in my reactions to the things that I encounter.”

Lazenby’s paintings will be on exhibit through May 4 at the Leeds Arts Center, located at 8140 Parkway Drive in downtown Leeds.  The gallery is open on Fridays, 12 – 2 p.m., and during events.  In case of inclement weather, call the center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.

To view examples of Lazenby’s work at visit http://www.riklazenby.com  and on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/RikLazenbyFineArts/ or https://www.facebook.com/lazenbysdecorativeartsstudio/