|
 Born
in 1941 and turning to art as his primary focus in the 1970's, Lee James
Pantas is
a painter and author dedicated to helping save our earth's natural environment
from further destruction by creating paintings, drawings and books that
focus on the natural world. His paintings are vibrant reminders of what we stand
to lose if mankind cannot make the shift to a more sustainable and ecologically
harmonious global society.
He
has completed over 270
paintings, all of which, with rare exception,
are in private, corporate or organizational
collections. This earlier body of visionary work
had as its primary focus the vast reaches of
interstellar space, in surreal and fantastic
visions of imaginary worlds, life forms and
starry landscapes. A number of paintings in this
period were also concerned with distinctly
religious themes, reflections of a spiritual
awakening the artist experienced at that time.
All of his later work focuses on the natural
environment and especially endangered habitats
and species.
With degrees in
biology and ecology as an educational
foundation, self-taught as an artist, and influenced by a lifetime of
study of religion, philosophy and science,
Pantas shares a powerful vision that is uniquely
his, and one that fuses two brilliantly colorful
realms, the endless galaxies and stars of outer
space and the magical reaches of earth's natural
habitats. As noted by one reviewer,
"The
process of painting itself is for Pantas part of
his exploration into the unknown for he attempts
to work with the prevailing natural and creative
spiritual energies of the universe flowing
though him in interaction with the media and the
environment. This is a method that is akin to
the artistic disciplines of the ancient Zen
Masters in their paintings and works of
calligraphy. It is also in accord with the
latest discoveries of Modern Quantum Physics
which recognize the active participation of the
subject continually participating in the
co-creation of objective reality."
The end results are extraordinarily exquisite
and stunning presentations of surreal,
supercharged nature,
blends of fantasy and realism in a unique vein
of visionary art that
invite the viewer into a luminous world where harmony, surprise and
wonder prevail.
Biographical Highlights
Born: 1941-
Personal:
Wife Elizabeth (deceased), Children Susanna and Daniel
Education:
B.S Biology (1964) and M.S. Freshwater Ecology (1966),
University of Vermont
Military Service:
Captain, US Army Military Police (1967-1969)
Scientific Research Associate:
Rhine Institute for Parapsychology,
Durham NC. (1972-73)
Community Service:
1978 -Founder of New Covenant Center,
Stamford CT., a
Catholic Christian soup kitchen for homeless people.
1995-2025
-Track
& Field Hurdles Coach
for AC Reynolds Middle
and High Schools, & USATF Jr. Olympics Team, Asheville NC.
2003
-Founder
of the Blue Ridge Classic Track & Field Meet,
Asheville NC.
Author & Illustrator:
“The Ultimate Guide to Asheville & the Western
North Carolina Mountains”,
“Wild & Furry Animals of the Southern
Appalachian Mountains”,
“Wild & Furry Animals of the Northern
Appalachian Mountains”,
and
“A
Journey to Liza’s Reef”.
Pen
& Ink Drawings:
Completed over 2000 drawings of private
residences, historic buildings, landscapes and wild animals.
Paintings:
Visionary
nature-themed acrylic paintings in over 300 private
and public collections.
Recognition & Awards:
2002
AFLAC National Assistant Track & Field Coach of the
Year Award
Bronze Medal 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards
for
“Wild & Furry Animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains”
and 2019 placement in the collection of the Smithsonian
Natural History Library.
Biography
in 2026 edition of Marquis Who’s Who in America
for
lifetime accomplishments in art & literature promoting
awareness and protection of wild animals, especially
endangered species and their environments.
Painting Solo & Group Exhibitions:
2011
Center for Ocean Awareness, Hendersonville NC
Whittington Exhibition, Asheville NC
Kress Emporium, Asheville NC
Art on Main -Hendersonville NC
2010
Grace Centre 10th Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition, Asheville NC
Art in the Park -Asheville NC
EAST -Fairview NC
Apple Festival -Hendersonville NC
Lazy Daze -Cary NC
Bele Chere -Asheville NC
1995-2008
Apple Festival -Hendersonville NC
Bele Chere (1995 & 1998) -Asheville NC
Black Mountain Arts & Crafts Festival (1998-2003) -Black
Mountain NC
1992
Blue Spiral Gallery –Asheville NC “Images of Faith”
Blue Spiral Gallery –Asheville NC “ Mask II”
1991
Broadway Arts Building Gallery–Asheville NC
Seven Sisters Gallery –Black Mountain NC
1990
Seven Sisters Gallery –Black Mountain NC
1989
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “East
Village Express”
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “East Soho Art”
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “Legends Now”
Berkeley Manor Gallery –Greenwich CT
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “Critics,
Collectors, Cache”
1988
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “Christmas Show”
Hurlbutt Gallery, Bruce Museum –Greenwich CT
Mystic Aquarium Exhibition –Mystic CT
Greenwich Art Gallery –Greenwich CT
1987
Paul IV Institute For The Arts –Washington DC “The Life Exhibit”
Mead School Gallery –Greenwich CT “A Professional Art Exhibit”
Albertus Magnus College Gallery –New Haven CT “2nd Annual
National Juried Exhibition”
Westfield Gallery –Westfield NJ “Festival of Religious Art”
1986
Regina Laudis Gallery, Bethlehem CT
Olin Corporation –Stamford CT
Hurlbutt Gallery, Bruce Museum –Greenwich CT
Passaic County Community College Gallery –Paterson NJ
Albertus Magnus College Gallery –New Haven CT “1st Annual
National Juried Exhibition”
Westfield Gallery –Westfield NJ “Festival of Religious Art”
1985
Horizon Gallery –Houston TX
Champion International Corporation Gallery –Stamford CT
New Canaan Gallery –New Canaan CT
Illuminarium-Isis Gallery –San Francisco CA
Phillips-Cowan Gallery –Houston TX
Johnson NASA Space Center Gallery –Houston TX
Mamaroneck Artists Guild –White Plains NY
Zenith Gallery –Washington DC
1984
Saint Catherine of Sienna Gallery –Greenwich CT
Portfolio Gallery –Port Chester NY
Lincoln Center –New York NY “Fordham University Exhibit of
Contemporary Spiritual Art”
GTE Corporation –Stamford CT
New Canaan Gallery –New Canaan CT
Brooklyn College Gallery –Brooklyn NY “Contemporary Religious
Art”
1983
Sound Shore Gallery –Port Chester NY
Perrot Memorial Library Gallery –Old Greenwich CT
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