October Featured Artist: Echoes of Hope, The Art of Duane de Lessart

by Duane de Lessart

by Duane de Lessart

by Duane de Lessart

by Duane de Lessart

This October, Collective Visions Gallery is proud to present Echoes of Hope: The Art of Duane de Lessart, an exhibition that blends technical finesse with expressive spontaneity. Through an inventive combination of India ink, watercolor, and color pencil, Duane creates dynamic works that blur the line between precision and emotion—capturing the beauty and complexity of everyday life.

Drawing from a lifelong connection to nature, visual storytelling, and educational design, Duane’s work reflects a deep sensitivity to the seen and unseen. Each piece explores the energy of a moment—whether it’s a passing gesture, a shift in light, or a quiet feeling beneath the surface. His layered compositions highlight the bold control of ink, the softness of watercolor, and the fine detail of pencil, all coming together to create a unique visual language that invites viewers to slow down and truly look.

Originally from the wild and wooded landscapes of West Virginia, Duane’s artistic journey began with brown paper bags and a no. 2 pencil in the forest, accompanied by his loyal dog, Lady. From painting barn walls and billboards to a 12-year stint aboard Navy submarines, and later a career in graphic and curriculum design, Duane's creative path has been anything but ordinary. Now retired and living in the Pacific Northwest, he has returned to his fine art roots with renewed passion and purpose.

Echoes of Hope is a celebration of that full-circle journey—a body of work that merges lived experience with artistic intuition. Whether you're drawn to vibrant color, delicate linework, or the quiet stories that art can tell, this show promises a fresh and meaningful perspective.