Continuing with our artist profiles of artists both living and working in the Hamptons, our next artist is Audrey Lee, who lives in East Hampton.

Artist Audrey Lee at her home in the Springs. Photo by Tim Lee Photography

East Hampton - Audrey Lee is a native New Yorker, but she spent every summer since childhood in East Hampton (Springs). More than 60 years ago her parents purchased and owned a home and properties in the Springs, well before Lee was born. Her grandfather, "being an adventurous spirit, drove out here with my father when he was a young man, fell in love with the area and bought a home."

Lee recalls that "Maidstone Park beach was a wonderful, magical place to grow up - lots of families with kids all the same age - spending every summer day on the bay beach, riding bikes everywhere, fishing on my father's boat; buying bait at Charlie's fishing station where he kept frozen Milky Ways with the squid, Tilley's soda fountain shop, where you could buy penny candy and root beer in frosted glasses."

Further commenting Lee states "I was exposed to both city and country environs. The best of both worlds. Truly a blessed childhood - all of which contributed to form my perspective on life and people - which is to accept the good and try not to judge."

"Standing Girl," 3' x 4', Mixed Media, 2009.

"I was immersed in a dual community of urban Chinese culture and classic American rural, and learned to accept people for who they were and not what they appeared to be."

Her father was born in Manhattan, and her mother was brought up in Indonesia and came to New York as a young woman, via Hong Kong where she was schooled.

Lee attended the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan and SUNY at Stony Brook. She studied fine arts, and has a background in publications, having worked at Seventeen Magazine for six years, leaving as Senior Associate Decorating Editor. She did room makeovers, and then pursued a freelance career as a photo stylist in advertising and editorial.

Lee related that "I divided my time between New York and East Hampton for years as a freelance stylist. When I moved out here permanently, over 16 years ago, I worked as the Production Coordinator for the Hamptons Catalogue for six years and was able to meet and work with many local retailers in all the towns from Sag Harbor to Westhampton Beach. I developed a strong understanding of how difficult it is to run a business out here - seasonal versus year-round. I still bump into former advertisers and it helps to make it still feel like a small town."

Discussing her interest in art, Lee reveals that "Layers interest me. The natural process and the erosion. Sometimes leaving a hint of the past or a color from another time. Textures that evoke a spirit and connect us to others. The photographs are humanity – they are about people that really existed, and the various papers are traces of a culture."

"Alien Child," 24" x 24", Mixed Media, 2009.

When did you start making art and what medium(s) do you consider to be your roots in art?

AL: My father was an aeronautical Design Engineer, so I always grew up drawing and creating with him. In fact, he would go with me to all the museums as a teen as a weekend activity. I remember going to a Claus Oldenberg show with the giant phone that was fantastic.

I began to seriously study art at the High School of Music and Art, which was originally located all the way uptown in Harlem at 145th Street and Convent Avenue - 'The castle on the hill.'

What is it about the Hamptons that brought you here and enticed you to stay, work, and pursue your art here as opposed to some place else?

I grew up summers and winter weekends here all my life - I was a very fortunate girl. There was always a sense of year-round community out here and the beauty and tranquility of the beaches always stayed with me. Since my family had a home out here, it was easier to make the transition, and the Springs artists are a very friendly and supportive group. In addition, the proximity to New York made it ideal to go back and forth.

"Two Boys Standing," 3' x 4', Mixed Media, 2009.

How do you support yourself as an artist?

AL: Freelance photo styling for publications – for photo shoots out here. I also show at galleries, and am currently at Delaney Cooke Gallery (Sag Harbor) and have an on-going relationship with Mark Humphrey Gallery (Southampton), as well as show in group shows.

Most importantly, however, I got my start showing with my brother, Jan Lee, a gallerist and custom-furniture designer in New York and DUMBO, Brooklyn, at Sinotique. His vintage Chinese photo collection was what first inspired me to work in mixed media on wood.

Why live and work in the Hamptons as opposed to elsewhere?

AL: Family ties and life-long friends live here, and my favorite time out here is Fall and Winter.

What local environmental or historical aspects of the Hamptons do you relate to that may be reflected in your medium?

AL: Indirectly, the colors of flowers, the beach, the sand, rocks, wood and the water influence my palette somewhat, but not entirely.

"Two Girls Cross," 3' x 4', Mixed Media, 2009.

What artists do you feel have influenced you and your work?

AL: I feel that I evolved to my style by experimentation and exploring on my own, but I obviously, subconsciously, must have absorbed snatches from galleries and museum visits. People have commented that my work evokes Robert Rauschenerg - perhaps because of the textures and layerings. Also, Jackson Pollock, Andre Kertesz, Atget, Lisette Model - I have always been drawn to photographs.

Early on, illustrator and artist Charles Waller was helpful with technical tips regarding varnishes and finishes.

What advice would you give an emerging artist?

AL: Take risks, don't be afraid to push beyond what is comfortable. Nothing has to be 'written in stone.' Nothing is a mistake, it's just a step in the process and keep working until you are satisfied with the finished image and never stop before then.

What gives you an edge (if any)?

AL: My materials and content are authentic and original. My process is my own and never the same.

"Three Men Standing," 3' x 4', Mixed Media, 2009.

What are you working on now, and are you involved in any upcoming shows or exhibitions?

AL: I am doing a series for a solo show with Delaney Cooke Gallery that will be on exhibit from Aug. 29 through Sept. 13. [The opening reception will be held on Aug. 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.]. I am also doing a series for Jan's brand-new furniture space, "70 John" in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and have been playing with dog paintings of all of Baxter's [Lee's puggle] buds, and his assorted dog trekking beasts.

 • To view more of Audrey Lee's work, visit the following websites at www.delaneycookegallery.com