We were lucky to catch up with Gary Lett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Gary, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
The word for “Purpose” in the Swahili langue is Nia. I’ve taken the word and tuned it into an acronym: “Natural Inner Ability”. In my consideration of a person’s life profession or career, etc., should stem from the very core of their character trait that is most prevalent. And the early the better.
From childhood my artistic ability shown more than any other trait that I possessed. Around 7 years old I remember our family pastor looking at my in- progress paint-by-number and saying, “So you are the artist in the family!” I had no reply for him other than a gaze of bewilderment! That one statement of his have stayed with me all my life. That pastor has since transitioned, but before doing so, he witness his prophetic statement through me having a professional fine art career. One other profound acknowledgement came from my third grade teacher who told me “if I could build a house as well as I draw them, she would have me build her one.” And in the sixth grade my teacher bought tester paints and supplied a large illustration board and had me copy a van Gogh sunflower painting, of which I did. Once it was finished, I never saw it again!
I could go on-and-on with so many indicators that pointed my destiny to becoming a working artist. Therefore, I will stop here!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My current pace of life and career is maxed out daily, and at times, with too few sleep. Not that I care to live like that, but as a working artist, it’s had to turn down work! In August 2023, Lisha, my wife and I established: letts_do_art inc and letts_do_art llc. Although, this past year I’ve been heavily concentrating on a 54.6 ft x 11 ft custom ceramic tile mural featuring Dr. Martin Luther King, jr., voting, and peaceful demonstrations under my working artist status for the City of Pomona where we reside.
The location of my studio is inside the sanctuary of what is know as the first Protestant Mexican Church in Pomona, Ca. built in 1928. In addition, on site is a community garden known as, Semillas. Being there is so familiar for me! First of all, I grew up in this city, passed by this church so very often, lived on land filled with yearly gardens and fruit trees, and raised small like-stock.
In addition to the mural project, I just finished a year commitment with the African American Museum of Beginnings Pomona, in their Young Sirius Scholars Program: a program initiative designed to build-up and strengthen African American High school students in various capacities. My involvement was to work with both, youth and elders. I first taught the elders fabric portraiture art ( making portraits with fabric material only), and in turn, the elders taught it to the youth in the program. In 2024 there will be a culminating art show and a book singing. The book will feature the art work made in the program. My operation was funded by The Picerne Family Foundation.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I reflect on my childhood, I see that I was a hard worker: I would clean the yard without being asked and do other task that worn’t my daily chores. So, as I glean over my attitude about work, I believe that I possess a workaholic ability. within my profession, I have to view that ability as an asset and important quality. Having grew up the way I did and being surrounded by all that I was: wood and tools, and not having many store bought toys, I known that my creativity and explorative nature was heighten.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I have a great interest in continuing to do public and private ceramic murals, and with an emphasis on history in various categories. My approach to ceramic mural making aligns with the efforts of such great muralist as Diego Rivera, Charles White, and others depicting the human spirit. I truly enjoy the painterly qualities of the glaze results that comes forth in my work. As for clients, I’m looking and wanting to work with those with like passion, and my murals are exterior and interior.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: artbygaryvincentlett; gary_v_lett
- Facebook: Gary Lett
Image Credits
Credit to all photos: Gary Lett
