Name: Lee Gainer
Location: Arlington, VA USA
Website: https://www.leegainer.com/
Brief artists statement:
I create works that explores how memories are constructed.
How did you become an artist? Did you always dream of a life in the art-world?
I have always been one. Always drawing, taking pictures etc, since before grade school. Never dreamt it as I knew that’s where I should be.
How has your education helped your career?
My formal education, somewhat. However, I’ve learned much more after earning my BFA.
Do you work as an artist full-time? Describe your typical day. Do you have a routine?
Yes, I work full time. Wake up to cat snuggles, feed cat. Go to studio. Drink a big mug full of honey sweetened cocoa (a must!). Emails, news, website updates, packets and proposals then paint/draw for 7-8 hours, go home, dinner, brainstorm, plan, write. Sleep. Rinse repeat.
Which historical and contemporary artists do you refer to most often? How are you influenced by their work?
Stephen Shore, Will Cotton, Wayne Thiebaud. Refer is too strong a word. I enjoy their selected palettes, subject matter and compositions. Shore’s work was a major influence, pushing me into photography.
What are the other influences on your work?
The many dozens of vacation pamphlets I collected as a child, circus programs, snapshots from theme parks, home movies, old photo albums.
What was the last exhibition you visited?
30 Americans @ Corcoran and Matthew Mann @ Hamiltonian Gallery.
What is your favourite art gallery?
Mixed Greens.
Do you have any tips or advice you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Get out of the studio and look at art at least twice a month. Talk, explore, email, ask, read. Follow your instinct.
Do you have a quotation that you keep coming back to and that keep you going? Have you a motto that gets you through?
F*** fear.
Do you or would you use assistants to make your work?
I would consider it in the future. My work is time sensitive and precise so more hands could be good and bad. 
Do you use social networks? if so, how and which ones do you find most useful?
Yes but only because I am expected too. Facebook has been the most helpful.
Which artist should we all look up immediately? What art magazines, blogs or sites should art lovers be looking at?
Eric Yahnker and Matt Lipps. My blog Peek, https://www.leegainer.blogspot.com/
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