I am a born artist, drawing and painting from the heart as long as I can remember. Blessed with this magnificent obsession, the creative process flows from my soul in a direct, free, and spontaneous manner enabling my imagination and senses to culminate artistically… I simply, love to paint!

The beginning of a new painting starts with small sketches and color studies of my chosen subject matter to determine whether I will reach for watercolor or oils. The color, texture, shapes and composition will dictate which color medium I will choose. Each piece incorporates a strong foundation drawing, glazing and a limited color palette. I'm intuitive in my painting approach and strive for a well balanced expressive not-to-be-forgotten image. Subject matter needs to tingle the senses and the movement to create the essential brushstrokes must come from the heart. My feelings are mutual in terms of my art…that my finished pieces reveal what I am saying, beginning to end.

My love of visiting many great American Art Museums has influenced my art greatly over the years. In addition, the value of hands on experience and knowledge acquired through participation in various art workshops, ‘painting-trip' travels with fellow artists, and class studies with regional and national artists in the fine arts field cannot be surpassed and needs to be acknowledged as vital influences in my artistic career.

I can only dream that many decades or centuries from now an inspired art lover viewing my painting with good intent and honest observation will walk away and feel their heart was touched!

ARTIST BIO

A childhood pleasure has resulted in a rewarding profession for Illinois resident CeCe Lucchesi. A native of Northern Wisconsin , she has found to have made an easy transition with her art which began in oils with subject matter mainly of wildlife and then turning to watercolor with subject matter varying from florals, landscapes, still life, portraits and figurative art.

Art has always been a big factor in her life. With three children, being organized meant more time to fulfill her artistic endeavors. Incorporated within her home is her studio where several pieces of work are under various stages of completion. CeCe works mainly with watercolor and oils however she is also versatile with acrylic, gouache, graphite, charcoal and pen and inks.

CeCe's painting style has been greatly influenced by trips to great American Museums, a vast library of fine art books and Master Artists Renoir, John Singer-Sargent, Georgia O'Keefe, Vermeer, Cassat, and Giovanni Bellini.

CeCe starts her paintings with small sketches, color studies, and often takes along a small camera to snap quick subject matter. This collection of references will be used in composing her painting on paper or canvas. Color values, texture, subject matter and composition will all determine what paper, medium or support will be utilized. Inspiration through classical music will play into her artwork as she paints, often influencing the outcome of her piece. Painting in oils allows her to work in a controlled manner, choosing her favorite, alla prima, or a planned out drawing. The fluid nature of watercolors allows her to work more spontaneously and quickly as the color flows on paper allowing her to stretch her imagination with the piece.

Educated in Chicago , Illinois , she continues drawing, painting, and watercolor studies with regional and national artists in the fine arts field. CeCe is active in art societies and continues to exhibit in national watercolor society annual exhibitions every year. Her hard work and consistency has earned her signature status and inclusions to four major national watercolor societies and an associate member of six. Through these societies and other juried exhibitions regionally and locally, she has sold paintings, won prizes and gained public exposure for her artwork.

Juried International show inclusions:

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society-PA

Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society -NY

Montana Watercolor Society - MT

Red River Watercolor Society- MN

Honored in all above Societies with the highly acclaimed Signature Status Award.

Partial list of her permanent collections include:

Medline Industries, Mundelein , IL

Helene Curtis, Rolling Meadows, IL

Baltimore University , MD – Daniel Vista, Chancellor

College of Lake County Foundation , Grayslake , IL

Aurora Public Library, Aurora , IL

Panasonic, Huntley , IL

Jobson Publishing, Inc.- Piscataway , NJ

LeDa (Lederie Labs) – Princeton , NJ

Hillcrest Enterprises, LLC – Libertyville , IL

Cuneo Museum , Libertyville , IL