About
Sonja Lehman – Paper Mystery and Magic
I work in many mediums. My portfolio of work includes oils, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, printmaking, papermaking, boxmaking, book arts, and paper arts. I love all things paper! Since 2015 I have primarily worked in paper arts and most recently been getting lost in boxmaking, papermaking, book arts, paper cutting, paper weaving, and all paper processes. I have exhibited in Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, and Florida. I was one of the co-founding members of the co-op gallery, The Bellevue Gallery, Bloomington, Indiana 1987. I have a studio Franklin, In at the Alva Neal Building. I enjoy providing workshops to people of all ages, in groups or individualized instruction. I particularly enjoy working with special needs and older adult groups.
Artist Statement
Light has always been a very important element of my work even when in graduate school almost 40 yrs. ago now. Then I worked to emphasize light through the relationships of color, value, and, the minimal use of, or absence of light – my paintings were dark but the light that emitted from within the surface played a significant role in the work aesthetically, emotionally, functionally, and compositionally.
Through my paper pieces I continue to focus on the expressive qualities of light. How either integrating transparent materials like abaca or vellum into a piece allows light to travel through the work to enhance the visual aesthetic; or, either using light sources or embedding them in the works. I’m searching for a joyful lyrical movement in these pieces, and the use of ‘light’ conveys that important emotional quality I want my work to express.
Let’s make something together.
Sonja Lehman 