1.
Introduction by J. J. “Max” Journigan
(2004)
Over the years that I’ve had the opportunity
to work with Andrew Lakey, I saw him rise to the heights
of success in the art world. By any measure, the acclaim
his work received in the decade spanning the years
1990 to 2000 was extraordinary, as was Andrew ’s
commitment to his art. Remarkably prolific, he created
over 10,000 original paintings during that time, and
tirelessly traveled the globe, meeting many thousands
of fans and collectors – celebrated public figures
and everyday people alike – at exhibitions of
his work. I feel this is just the beginning of his
artistic journey.
Rising as it did out
of a watershed personal experience, Andrew Lakey's visual
art has always possessed an uncommon ability to move
people, and beyond even that, impact their lives –
sometimes quite markedly. Many of you may already
be familiar with Andrew 's story, others may just be
hearing about his singular journey. Without going
into great detail here, suffice it to say that it
was an intense spiritual reckoning at a moment of
great personal despair that sparked Andrew 's drive to
paint.
Though he had never
before created a formal work of art, within a handful
of years of this transformational incident--which
is hard to describe in words even for Andrew himself--he
was emerging in the international art arena. Coupled
with his powerful imagery and hugely popular paintings,
Andrew 's dramatic story of survival and overcoming adversity
turned him into a media celebrity, and he's since
been featured on just about every top interview show
on network television.
What I have always
found especially fascinating, however, and to be the
most telling aspect of Andrew as a person, is not the
high-profile public side of his experience, but the
out-of-the spotlight, real-life incidents that relate
how his humanity, compassion and earned wisdom have
truly affected people. And how his own unerring dedication
to honor the second chance he d been given personally
gave him the ability to make a difference for others.
Currently, Andrew Lakey
is sidelined from actively painting because of severe
allergies and chemical sensitivities that arose after
an extended period of creating extremely media-heavy
canvases, sometimes using more than a gallon of paint
for one small image. During this time, I ve been working
with Andrew on developing a movie based on his life.
To help me illustrate to the screenwriters the compelling
nature of Andrew 's narrative, I went back to the wealth
of letters he's received over the years.
There are literally
thousands of people who have been touched by his art,
and, often, by the mere fact of his life path crossing
theirs at a critical juncture. They are both from
famous personalities, and ordinary, private people
like you and me. Time and time again, they write of
the meaningful presence of one of Andrew 's works in
their life, or of the positive change of direction
that took place after meeting him... or both.
Every now and then,
one of these incredible stories would describe a healing;
more frequently, they would recount a family or marital
rift mended, or a fear overcome. Very often, they
would describe how Andrew 's strength at communicating
what he had gone through himself gave them the courage
to face their own challenges.
Andrew would be the last
person ever to suggest that he has any special powers
and in fact, over the years, has resisted releasing
any of these stories, not wanting to betray any of
the confidences entrusted to him. In my research for
the film, though, I was astonished and moved by these
letters, and came to believe there was a picture bigger
than Andrew 's own artistic legacy or personal evolution.
I felt these documents were profound testaments to
the human spirit, and should be shared. Perhaps their
messages could motivate others.
Andrew agreed, provided
that the people who had relayed their experiences
to him were willing to have them published, and that
their anonymity would be protected. We went back to
the men, women and children who had composed these
inspiring letters, and asked them to re-tell their
stories to us in their own words. We present them
to you here.
As much as they are,
individually, deeply affecting glimpses into individual
lives, collectively they are a major part of the rich
fabric of Andrew Lakey's life. We invite you to experience
the human emotions, mysteries and truths both large
and small revealed within their lines.
J. J. “Max”
Journigan, 2004
