Randall Lake
RANDALL LAKE
Self Portrait - In Pop Art Style 1971
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“During my career, I have done several self-portrait paintings. They are snap shots of who I was in that particular period. Self-portraits are important because every once in a while, I would explore myself as a subject. It’s a reflection of where I was in life both in the literal and figurative styles in which I painted myself. People tell me to practice self-love, and the closest I can get is to draw myself. I don’t like talking about myself much, and so many times I have used my paintings as my words to reveal my soul in my self-portraits.” – Randall Lake, 2019
What would a self-portrait that captured you right now look like? What styles or mediums of art would you use?
Self Portrait - In Pop Art Style 1971
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“During my career, I have done several self-portrait paintings. They are snap shots of who I was in that particular period. Self-portraits are important because every once in a while, I would explore myself as a subject. It’s a reflection of where I was in life both in the literal and figurative styles in which I painted myself. People tell me to practice self-love, and the closest I can get is to draw myself. I don’t like talking about myself much, and so many times I have used my paintings as my words to reveal my soul in my self-portraits.” – Randall Lake, 2019
What would a self-portrait that captured you right now look like? What styles or mediums of art would you use?
RANDALL LAKE
A Silent War 1989
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
Lake had many friends die during the 1980s AIDS epidemic. People were dying so quickly that two other models Lake had arranged to sit for this painting died before he could start. He wanted to paint this to show the world that gay men were regular people. He wanted to give dignity to the misery the disease inflicted.
How has Lake painted this scene with dignity? What can it tell us about the experience of living with AIDS? What events, like the AIDS crisis, have affected your life and sense of self?
A Silent War 1989
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
Lake had many friends die during the 1980s AIDS epidemic. People were dying so quickly that two other models Lake had arranged to sit for this painting died before he could start. He wanted to paint this to show the world that gay men were regular people. He wanted to give dignity to the misery the disease inflicted.
How has Lake painted this scene with dignity? What can it tell us about the experience of living with AIDS? What events, like the AIDS crisis, have affected your life and sense of self?
RANDALL LAKE
Lamentation 1992
oil on paper on board
Courtesy of the Artist
“I have lost several close friends and lovers to suicide. Dealing with loss has been a part of my life, and I am an activist for gay rights through my art. Gay activism, however, is only a part of my choice of subject. I have no gay agenda. I paint these pieces to help me grieve and work through the pain. Some of the most poignant lessons I have learned in my life come from my deepest sorrows. Loss of a loved one is extremely difficult and painful, but loss of a loved one prematurely to suicide haunts and pesters me. I can’t shake the feeling that I could have done more so I create these pieces.” – Randall Lake, 2019
Lamentation 1992
oil on paper on board
Courtesy of the Artist
“I have lost several close friends and lovers to suicide. Dealing with loss has been a part of my life, and I am an activist for gay rights through my art. Gay activism, however, is only a part of my choice of subject. I have no gay agenda. I paint these pieces to help me grieve and work through the pain. Some of the most poignant lessons I have learned in my life come from my deepest sorrows. Loss of a loved one is extremely difficult and painful, but loss of a loved one prematurely to suicide haunts and pesters me. I can’t shake the feeling that I could have done more so I create these pieces.” – Randall Lake, 2019
RANDALL LAKE
The Studio Walls 1984
oil on canvas
State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Collection, Courtesy Utah Arts & Museums
“My studio is a part of me, an extension of my being. My life is a biography in paint, conceived and created in my studio” – Randall Lake, 2019
This painting features several objects that are meaningful to the artist and pictures that represent his heroes. What objects, people, or artists can you point out? Which artifacts or role models would you include in your own self-portrait?
The Studio Walls 1984
oil on canvas
State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Collection, Courtesy Utah Arts & Museums
“My studio is a part of me, an extension of my being. My life is a biography in paint, conceived and created in my studio” – Randall Lake, 2019
This painting features several objects that are meaningful to the artist and pictures that represent his heroes. What objects, people, or artists can you point out? Which artifacts or role models would you include in your own self-portrait?
RANDALL LAKE
Artist Materials 2000
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
“These tools have been my therapist, lover, friend, and companion through it all. I owe my life to these tools.” – Randall Lake, 2019
Artist materials fascinate Lake – brushes, paints, oils, and other mediums. He’s gathered his collection in all sorts of places from flea markets to high-end art supply stores. He paints still-life depictions of them as a celebration of their role in his life as an artist.
Artist Materials 2000
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
“These tools have been my therapist, lover, friend, and companion through it all. I owe my life to these tools.” – Randall Lake, 2019
Artist materials fascinate Lake – brushes, paints, oils, and other mediums. He’s gathered his collection in all sorts of places from flea markets to high-end art supply stores. He paints still-life depictions of them as a celebration of their role in his life as an artist.
RANDALL LAKE
Spring City, Utah 2002
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
Randall Lake has a second studio in Spring City, Utah, a place he calls his “catnip.” He loves Spring City because it is a snapshot in time. He loves the old architecture, dirt roads, and picturesque scenes. He has painted this road so many times he has started calling it “Rouen Road” after Monet’s multiple paintings of Rouen Cathedral.
What colors, shapes, and details has Lake used to portray Spring City? What do you think it would be like to be there? What places are like catnip to you? How would you capture them in an image?
Spring City, Utah 2002
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
Randall Lake has a second studio in Spring City, Utah, a place he calls his “catnip.” He loves Spring City because it is a snapshot in time. He loves the old architecture, dirt roads, and picturesque scenes. He has painted this road so many times he has started calling it “Rouen Road” after Monet’s multiple paintings of Rouen Cathedral.
What colors, shapes, and details has Lake used to portray Spring City? What do you think it would be like to be there? What places are like catnip to you? How would you capture them in an image?
RANDALL LAKE
The Pont Nuef, Paris 1981
oil on canvas mounted to board
Courtesy of Private Collection
Lake first visited Paris, France when he was 11 years old and it has shaped his life and his identity ever since. He was immediately drawn to the city, architecture, art, and culture. In Paris, Lake felt like he could be himself. It was the first place he felt like nothing was wrong with him.
What places have made you feel most like yourself? How do these places continue to shape your identity and sense of self?
The Pont Nuef, Paris 1981
oil on canvas mounted to board
Courtesy of Private Collection
Lake first visited Paris, France when he was 11 years old and it has shaped his life and his identity ever since. He was immediately drawn to the city, architecture, art, and culture. In Paris, Lake felt like he could be himself. It was the first place he felt like nothing was wrong with him.
What places have made you feel most like yourself? How do these places continue to shape your identity and sense of self?
RANDALL LAKE
Preparatory Sketch for the oil Another Day 1995
charcoal on paper
Courtesy of the Artist
In this prepatory sketch the artist depicts Jesus Christ and Satan arm wrestling for his attention while he shaves. For Lake, each daily decision shapes who he is. Every moment is a chance to choose good over evil. He writes, “My character is formed in the small, private times of my life.”'
How do daily choices affect your identity and sense of self? How do you envision the struggle between good and evil in your own life?
Preparatory Sketch for the oil Another Day 1995
charcoal on paper
Courtesy of the Artist
In this prepatory sketch the artist depicts Jesus Christ and Satan arm wrestling for his attention while he shaves. For Lake, each daily decision shapes who he is. Every moment is a chance to choose good over evil. He writes, “My character is formed in the small, private times of my life.”'
How do daily choices affect your identity and sense of self? How do you envision the struggle between good and evil in your own life?
RANDALL LAKE
Boy Pharaoh 1994
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“My five children are my greatest works of art. I have painted all of them in several of paintings. Since I have a love for Egyptian art, I had the idea of painting my son Stuart, who had just turned fourteen, as a pharaoh. Tutankhamen reigned from the age of nine to nineteen, so I conjectured what it would look like for a twenty-first century boy to have absolute power by replacing traditional Egyptian art symbols with some of his favorites into the painting.” – Randall Lake, 2019
What symbols of Stuart’s favorite things can you find in the painting? What type of symbols would you use to represent yourself in a portrait like this?
Boy Pharaoh 1994
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“My five children are my greatest works of art. I have painted all of them in several of paintings. Since I have a love for Egyptian art, I had the idea of painting my son Stuart, who had just turned fourteen, as a pharaoh. Tutankhamen reigned from the age of nine to nineteen, so I conjectured what it would look like for a twenty-first century boy to have absolute power by replacing traditional Egyptian art symbols with some of his favorites into the painting.” – Randall Lake, 2019
What symbols of Stuart’s favorite things can you find in the painting? What type of symbols would you use to represent yourself in a portrait like this?
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