Lichty Hopes Painting Will Point To Supporting Foundation
Leola-based artist Jason Lichty can work in most artistic mediums. "I can paint, draw, sculpt, and create formal portraits, cartoons, abstracts," said Lichty. But it is talking about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) that lights up Lichty's eyes.
Referring to a painting called "Aquatic Harmony" he created for Tempo, a Boston seafood restaurant, Lichty explained, "The energy that went into that was to try to promote the CBF. I have been an advocate for save the bay (efforts) since I was in high school."
"How important is air and water?" asked Lichty, who is prepared with statistics to back up his concern, noting that the situation in the bay affects 64,000 square miles, 18 million people, and 30,000 fishing jobs. He noted that the CBF has an umbrella perspective, which explains how increased macadam affects runoff and the types of poisons, such as nitrogen from fertilizer and mercury from power plants, that reach the bay. "Tire rubber dust in runoff from the roads and pavement washes into the bay," he explained, pointing out that chemicals in blacktop constantly leach into the environment. "Everything is connected," he stated, adding that the bay is affected by agrichemicals and manure from Lancaster County. He noted that small family farms tend to be conscientious and that the CBF holds workshops to educate farmers on soil management and crop rotation.
Lichty, who graduated from Conestoga Valley High School, first sold his artwork when students at the school were asked to exhibit at the Mulberry Art Studios in Lancaster. From there, he attended art school at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, selling his first commissioned piece at age 19. Following college, Lichty moved to Boston, where he connected with Tempo restaurant and received commissions from the seafood eatery. "My first thought was, 'This place would be incredible with stained glass,'" recalled Lichty, who at the time did not know how to create stained glass artwork. In 2016, he entered the Diablo Glass School. He followed that experience with a six-month apprenticeship with the renowned Jim Anderson at Anderson's Boston studio, and in 2018, he created a stained-glass piece for Tempo.
Lichty described the process of creating pieces for customers such as Tempo. "When a client wants a project, you have to have a rich knowledge in art history, architecture, and interior design," said Lichty. "When you walk into a space, it will tell you what it needs (in response to) the colors, the woodwork, the countertops. You need to be in tune with that environment."
When Tempo grew in 2020, the owners asked Lichty to paint something for the expansion. "I wanted to create something easy on the eyes," recalled Lichty, who was also thinking of CBF. "When I was making all this sealife artwork, I was thinking, 'How can I contribute my talent to the CBF?'" said Lichty, who spent hours studying sealife to make the piece authentic. "It's really important to do your homework," he said.
Readers who would like to learn more about Lichty's Bay Raiser efforts may visit http://www.leolastainedglass.com/canvas.html and click on the CBF icon.
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