Chance Liscomb “Sweet Dreams” Exhibition
June 1 – June 29

Meet Chance

Chance B. Liscomb was born in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1990, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech communications from George Mason University. Shortly thereafter, he served in the United States Peace Corps in Mali, West Africa, from 1991-1993. Upon completion of his service, he returned to George Mason and earned a Master of Arts in education. In 1996, he went abroad for three years to teach art at the America School of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain.

Upon returning stateside, Liscomb taught high school art education while furthering his education at Virginia Commonwealth University. There he earned a Master in Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in sculpture and painting. Post-graduation, he served as an adjunct professor in art education at Lord Fairfax Community College. Most recently, he ventured to East Lansing
to reside with his fiancé and expand his art portfolio.

Artist Statement

The subject I chose to paint came to me from the thick white creamy paint at the bottom of a rusted paint bucket…I saw the icing on the cake. My inspiration to create in this style developed from my growing intrigue in the artistic journey of Wayne Thiebaud (1920- 2015).  I like the colorful common placed objects he paints, from pastries and pies to lipsticks and gumball dispensers.

I am a sculptor; however, I enjoy painting inside through the winter months when the studio becomes too cold for my hands to sculpt. While transitioning back and forth, I find that painting and sculpture complement one another. In both, the materials are central in my works because the materials suggest ideas and guide my thoughts. Rather than controlling the process of creating, I revel in the uncertainty of art and ideas as the materials unfold and reveal their potential. I embrace the risks, the complexities, the chaos and the spontaneity of making art. I like to play and learn from my mistakes as I tackle them as opportunities. Art seems to undo me and take me apart.

I believe only when our human spirit can overcome self-judgment, can we ascend to a child-like state made of pure play and wonderment. It is these playful moments of mistakes and corrections that keep me in the studio. I have humorous parents that instilled my love to play, build and create. I am grateful to them for raising this playfulness in me, which has remained.  And in the words of Wayne Thiebaud, “If we don’t have a sense of humor, we lack a sense of perspective.” And this to me remains the icing on the cake.

Exhibition and Opening Reception

Chance’s work will be on exhibit at the Arts Council through the month of June, 2018, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. An opening reception will be held on June 1, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. Stop by to meet Chance and talk with him about his work.