Meet David Michael Lee | Artist, Professor, Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Michael Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David Michael, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work-life balance is not something that occupies much of my thoughts because I genuinely enjoy what I do. Even when I go on vacations with my family, we always find a cultural element associated with the experience. It seems that every town we visit has museums or spaces that provide valuable opportunities for learning.

These cultural adventures have a profound impact on me and serve as a source of inspiration that often finds its way into my work. Whether it’s through my appetite for painting, curated exhibitions, or developing educational assignments, these experiences play a significant role in my creative process. Rather than compartmentalizing my personal and professional life, I see them as interconnected, mutually enriching and influencing each other.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sure, here is the cleaned up text:

I am a hard-edge abstract painter who specializes in simplifying forms to their core essence. I arrange basic cuboid shapes in various spatial configurations, sometimes within an atmospheric context. This compartmentalizes and organizes what may initially seem chaotic. Color plays a crucial role in creating visuals that challenge the perception of gravity while still maintaining a sense of familiarity. This allows viewers to imagine how the two-dimensional surface would manifest in the physical realm of the third dimension.

In addition to my artistic endeavors, I have devoted over 20 years to the field of education. For the past decade, I have served as a full-time professor at Coastline College in Newport Beach, where I oversee the operations of our art gallery. Our gallery hosts 5-7 exhibitions each year, showcasing talented artists from the Southern California region and community members at different stages of their careers.

Currently, we are revitalizing our studio and art history programs, aiming to enhance the educational experience we offer to our students. We are also reimagining the purpose and role of our community college gallery in Southern California. We aspire to create a space that nurtures artistic growth, fosters cultural engagement, and cultivates connections within the community.

While it is challenging to pinpoint what sets me apart from others, I find myself surrounded by like-minded individuals. We all encounter daily decisions, navigating through various distractions and obstacles that come our way.

Regarding my journey and the challenges faced, I often take my own advice, similar to what I have told my students. I measure growth by reflecting on my progress over multiple iterations, rather than comparing my current work to my most recent piece. The changes from A to B to C may not be significant, but when comparing oneself from A to L, the progress becomes clearer and more apparent.

In conclusion, I am a culmination of various elements, none of which have been forced. I allow things to unfold naturally while remaining focused and keeping my eyes on the ultimate goal, even if I am still uncertain about what that goal precisely entails.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend were to fly in from Chicago, I would hope they’d choose Orange County Airport, as my family and I reside in Laguna Beach. Starting from SNA, my friend and I would likely head up to Downtown Santa Ana, where I lived for 15 years. We would explore the vibrant food truck scene, particularly the tacos. A visit to the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art and a stop at Alta Baja Market on 4th Street to greet Delilah and Gustavo would follow. Santa Ana has much to offer, but it often goes unnoticed for its diverse array of attractions. Afterward, we would return to Laguna by taking the 5 and then the 133. I enjoy driving people through the canyon, as it provides a fascinating blend of history and striking contrasts on the way to the beach. We would explore galleries such as Sue Greenwood and Peter Blake, visit the Laguna Art Museum (where my wife, Julie, is the director), have a stiff drink at the Saloon, and enjoy a pizza dinner at NEApolitan Pizzeria & Birreria in South Laguna.

Saturday: We would take the train to Union Station and visit the Broad and MOCA museums. After a break and a meal at Cole’s, we would make a stop at The Velaslavasay Panorama. It would then be time to check into the hotel, then a visit Hauser and Wirth, along with other galleries in the area, before concluding the evening at Redbird for dinner.

Sunday: We would hop on the metro and head down to Culver City, enjoying a pastry or empanada and coffee at the Grand Casino before exploring the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Following that, we would proceed up Fairfax to LACMA and potentially visit more galleries. When hunger strikes, we would take a leisurely stroll to Little Ethiopia before returning to the hotel.

Monday: Before boarding the train back to Orange County, we must make a stop at Eastside Italian Deli to pick up some delicious sandwiches to go. Once we arrive back in Laguna, we can simply relax and enjoy our time.

Tuesday: On this day, I would encourage my wife to join us as we embark on a trip to the high desert. We would stay overnight at the 29 Palms Inn, explore Joshua Tree National Park, and perhaps experience a sound bath at The Integratron in Landers, if it happens to be open.

Wednesday: We would drive back down to Palm Springs and check into accommodations such as The Hideaway, Orbit Inn, or, if we’re fortunate, The Parker. Our itinerary would include a visit to Morton’s Botanical Garden, Palm Springs Air Museum, and a drive around town to admire the mid-century architecture. We would conclude the evening by attending a show and enjoying a fine dining experience at the Purple Room.

Thursday: On our last day, we would wake up and grab substantial sandwiches from Sherman’s Deli. Afterward, we would take a stroll to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Once we’ve explored its offerings, we would head back to Orange County, possibly making a stop to admire the Mission Inn. The journey home would likely involve navigating the 91 freeway, culminating in a quick drop-off at John Wayne Airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a Shoutout to several professors who have played a significant role in my journey, namely Tom Dowling from OCC, Corey Postiglione from Columbia College, and Kung Sun Cho from CSUF. Their guidance and mentorship have been invaluable. I am also indebted to Jane Bauman, Max King Cap, and Tony Delap for their unwavering support and countless conversations. Special mentions going back in time, go to Andrea Harris at the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana and Maggi Owens at Chapman University, who have been instrumental in my artistic endeavors.

However, I must emphasize that it is the everyday individuals who have provided continuous support and have truly shaped my path. A heartfelt “Shoutout” must go to my wife, Julie Perlin, my mother, Karen, and my two ever-growing children, affectionately known as AKL1 and AKL2. Additionally, I am grateful to the extended family and many friends I have made over the years, who have accompanied me on countless art adventures.

Website: davidmichaellee.com

Instagram: davidmlee00

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lee-54622511/

Facebook: facebook.com/davidmichaellee

Youtube: youtube.com/@davidmichaellee/videos

Other: coastline.edu/artgallery sandwichandart.com davidplatinum.com

Image Credits
The Portrait was taken by Tony Pinto The Roast Beef Sandwich is from Eastside Italian Deli, but taken by me The Turkey/Pastrami is from Sherman’s Deli, taken by me The building is Coastline College Newport Beach, by LPA Images are mine, “Cuboids in Space” various sizes, acrylic on panel, dates range from 2014 – 2023