New Year’s Eve, 1999. Along the way, in addition to hundreds of paintings going to charities, his original works ended up in museums and private collections around the world. Among those who own original Lakeys are entertainment world icons, leading clergy, royalty, high end art collectors, and three United States presidents.

The art also took on a life of its own, becoming a cultural phenomenon to multitudes that responded to Lakey’s vibrant imagery and the palpable spiritual resonance behind it. Many of these people had come through life-changing catharses of their own, and some believed the work had healing powers. Others saw Andrew as a sort of guru, something he has steadfastly resisted. For Lakey, his work has always been about the transforming power of the spiritual journey that had allowed him to access the universal energies and hidden potential inside himself. The paintings, energy fields in and of themselves, are manifestations of Lakey’s commitment to remain true to that always. But if art can be considered the transference of its maker’s soulful essence into a tangible form that can be shared with the world, Andrew Lakey’s uplifting work is destined to elicit powerful responses. While he won’t deny it

evolved out of a mysterious confluence of human and divine forces, Lakey maintains that his own faith and relationship with God are deeply private. He even deflected the attempts of the media world’s top interviewers to share his beliefs. Genuinely appreciative of his ability to touch people, and respectful of others’ feelings as only someone who has surmounted personal adversity can be, Lakey nevertheless says, "I’m not a spiritual leader, I’m a regular guy. I’m an artist. But once art becomes public, it’s subject to interpretation, and people invest it with their own beliefs and expectations." He adds, "The best part of that phenomenon, though, is that art is wonderfully therapeutic, and I want to harness that energy towards humanitarian efforts."

That thought has predominated since 2000, during Lakey’s extended break from active work enforced by serious health issues. While he stresses "it is my heart and passion to be back in the studio making art," Lakey must now wear a haz-mat suit in order to paint. After years of creating intensely media-heavy, and literally topographical pieces – sometimes using a gallon of paint on a four-foot square canvas – he’s