An Origin Story
The Intentional Artist
In this edition, I’ll be sharing a personal story about the origins of this newsletter's title. Writing this post has been an emotional journey for me, for reasons that will become apparent...
In the late 1990s, with the business world deeply immersed in the Internet, my agency had a strong focus on web development. It was during this period, in the spring of 1999, when a business colleague introduced me to a friend of his who needed help in creating a website for his art practice. I was intrigued by the opportunity, and so he arranged a meeting with the artist—Luc Leestemaker, a Dutch-American painter.
Born in the Netherlands and having moved to the U.S. in 1990, Luc devoted himself to painting, a craft deeply rooted in his family's cultural heritage. Influenced by eminent artists like Willem de Kooning and Mondrian, he embarked on a transformative creative journey.
Luc was a charismatic figure, a towering man with an infectious zest for life and an empathetic soul. Always sporting a smile, he was an attentive listener and truly "lived large." In the best way possible, Luc was a "force of nature."
We began meeting on a regular basis, engaging in numerous discussions about his art career. Through these conversations, Luc saw that I could support him with other aspects of his career. Although I had previous experience in music and film, the art world intrigued me as a new and exciting domain to explore.
Frequent meetings over meals allowed us to find common ground and mutual appreciation for each other's craft and ideals. We became the best of friends, and each other's sounding boards, spending countless hours over meals, coffee, tea, coconut custard pies, and backgammon games in various cafes around Los Angeles.
In 2010, I designed and published a memoir-like book for Luc titled, The Intentional Artist: Stories From My Life. Here's the description of the book:
"The Intentional Artist is a compilation of stories and visual impressions by someone who has lived an unconventional artist's life. Luc Leestemaker has mined his extensive and varied background in art, theater and the corporate world to create these autobiographical stories, out of which a thread emerges that offers inspired reading for anyone seeking to find or renew their creative way."
The year 2010 was a bittersweet one; it marked a high point in Luc's career with his exhibitions consistently selling out. Unfortunately, it was also the year Luc was diagnosed with cancer.
Despite his diagnosis, Luc's determination to express himself through painting only increased. His final years produced some of the most vibrant and dynamic works of his career.
Luc passed away peacefully on his 55th birthday, May 18, 2012.
Two years after Luc's passing, his longtime partner and the love of his life, Emily Lau, wrote a poignant essay, Beyond the Horizon, in response to the outpouring of love and admiration for Luc and his art. Following is an excerpt from the essay:
"Luc was a force within himself who changed lives through his paintings, words, or simply with his winking smile and presence. I called this the “Luc Effect,” and I am proud to see that it lives on in the people whom he continues to inspire and move. He would be gratified to know that people still find truth in his work and that it may even have opened something in their own hearts. After all, I believe Luc had the courage to live large in his own heart first. “Whatever the outcome,” Luc wrote in an essay titled, “Alchemy” (which appears in The Intentional Artist book)…
“the artist should focus only on living through his or her heart, on emptying the soul of all clutter and sabotaging thoughts, in order to make the creation of artwork as pure a process as possible. That is, to live life as a creative being, both inside and outside the studio. In the final analysis, success does not come from the art world. It comes from making life itself the work of art.”
Luc put so much of nothing into every painting so that anyone could make it theirs —a true gift from a man who lived to make art, and whose life was a work of art."
After months of contemplation and wrestling with the challenge of finding a name for this newsletter, Luc's birthday, approaching on May 18, held special significance. As I reflected on this day, I was reminded of his book, The Intentional Artist. It was then I realized that this was a perfect title for the newsletter—a title that could pay homage to Luc, while emphasizing the mission of the newsletter: to inspire artists to discover or rediscover their unique creativity and genius, and share it with the world. Perhaps it was a message from Luc? I may never know, but it felt undeniably perfect.
I'm deeply grateful to Emily, who oversees Luc’s estate and who graciously gave me the go ahead to use the title of the book as the name of this newsletter. Emily continues to be one of my closest and most cherished friends—with our bond strengthened by countless precious memories and a deep connection to Luc.
Hopefully, the insights provided here have shed light on how this aligns with the mission of The Intentional Artist newsletter.
Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you. 🙏🏻 My hope is that it gives you a deeper understanding of the purpose and passion behind this newsletter.
Sharing this piece of my life with you, I am reminded of the truth that underlies our shared artistic journey. Artists must dig deep, harnessing the courage to be honest, authentic, and vulnerable in our creations. There may be fear of judgment or ridicule, but it's in these moments of courage that we find our unique voice in the world.
No one else has lived our life or experienced our journey. It is our duty to weave these experiences into our work, sharing our stories through whichever medium resonates with us.
As artists, we often seek validation, an assurance that our work resonates with others. But our primary focus should be on creating the best work we can, pouring our heart and soul into it. Once it's completed, we release it into the world. The right audience will find and appreciate it when the time is right.
And now, I want to leave you with some final thoughts on the theme of being 'intentional'...
In art, as in life, intentionality is the vehicle that shapes our journey. We are all artists, each with a unique palette of experiences, perspectives, and inspirations. Becoming an 'artist' isn't an accident—it's the courage to channel these aspects, to make bold decisions, and to craft our story in the medium of life. We choose this, day after day, piece after piece.
Inspired by the life of my friend Luc, we're reminded that our most honest, powerful work comes from the heart. Luc ‘lived large,’ and in doing so, taught us to declutter our souls, discard the sabotaging thoughts, and delve deep into our creative spirits.
So today, I invite you to be an ‘Intentional Artist.’ Clear your mind, fill your heart, and let your hands express what words often fail to. Know that success isn't defined by external validation, but by transforming life itself into a masterpiece.
Remember, it's not about putting everything into your art—“it's about putting so much of nothing into your art that anyone can make it theirs.” That's your gift to the world.
Live large, dig deep, create with intentionality. Be the artist your story deserves.
Written from a café in Los Angeles, this post has been an emotional roller-coaster ride, stirring fond memories and occasionally bringing tears to my eyes, as I reflected on the past and pay tribute to my dear friend, Luc.
Artfully yours,
Chris
Chris Davies is a creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. He embraces the mission of empowering artists to overcome obstacles, unlock their full potential, and flourish in their creative pursuits.
Thanks for sharing it.
Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing ❤️