Meet Lacy McClary | Artist’s at Lacy McClary Studio and Gallery

I am known for creating bold colorful island inspired art and large scale abstracts. I also do modern pop art  inspired paintings and build furniture. I am very inspired by structure, moving parts, repetition and shadows. I love all things industrial and mechanical. I think it’s the mixture of form, function, and utility… everything serves a purpose.

 If you walk around my studio you usually happen upon random found objects from the past. I love nostalgic things and old tools. I may even paint with them sometimes.  I think there is something really special about history and remembering where we came from.

My background is in interior design.
I actually owned an upholstery and interior design business back in my hometown of Tulsa Oklahoma.

Here in Florida I work with several builders and designers in the area. I come in during the planning stages before the walls are even up. I get to turn blank extra large walls and spaces into the inviting warm modern inspired space that they envision. I love creating large scale works and adding that wow factor.

A lot of artists choose not do commission work. It is one of my favorite thing to do. I love listening to my clients ideas. What they would like to be surrounded by and bringing their ideas to life. It gives me great joy to create something that brings happiness into their space daily.

Pretty much if it speaks to me and inspires me… I want to express it on canvas or build it. I would say since a child I have been very curious and creative. I’ve always love working with my hands. As an adult that hasn’t changed. I like to challenge myself to not take things too seriously and to express freely uninhibited like we did as children. It is a good reminder that there are no bad ideas when you are creating and if something fails it very well may propel you to come up with another idea that turns out to be your greatest success.

I would say I am the happiest near water. My Sanibel Studio is a block from the Bay and Gulf. My Fort Myers Beach Studio and Gallery is on the Bay. I love looking out and seeing the sailboats at the marina.

I love to listen to live local music.
I think there is such a connection between music and art. I find inspiration, peace and clarity when listening to live music. I sometimes get jealous of songwriters because they have the ability within the timeframe of a song to bring you to that exact emotion, thought and feeling they were having when they created their song. As an artist my viewer may never know the exact emotion I was having while creating a piece of artwork.

I would definitely take my friends to @Diamondhead to hear one of my favorite local musicians @Sheenabrook. She is so talented and plays there every Wednesday afternoon/evening. Love catching the sunset there.

On a Sunday I would take them to @DixieFishHouse or @DocFords near my studio on Fort Myers Beach to have some ceviche, grab a Mojito and
hear @Heatherbrooks or @Deb&Thedynamics

I also love to go to @TheBeachBar on Fort Myers beach and hear @thepitbullofbluesband

One of my favorite hidden gems is @Bonita Bills. They have the freshest stone crabs and shrimp from @Trico Shrimp Company. They always have live music. My favorite is @Electriclipstick and the best taco Tuesday with @ChuckyfromKentucky playing old school country music.

When you visit SWFL crossing the causeway is a must do. It’s one of my favorite things and inspiration daily when I hop back and forth from my studios.

The best way to travel on Sanibel island is on a bike! I would jump on the bicycles with my friends and hit some of my local favorites like;

@MudbugsCajunKitchen where my friend @Slimtronic5k who plays weekly.

George and Wendy’s Seafood Grille. It is the locals hang out. I love their happy hour and the fact that they have daily live entertainment.

The Mad Hatter. Definitely one of my favorite fine dining options on the island and a perfect place to catch the sunset.

I also love to take my friends to @400rabbits, @Tuttipazzi and @Sweetmellissas where the food is SO delicious and so are the artisanal cocktails

I would definitely get my friends on a boat!! I think the best way to see the island is to jump on a boat and experience being on the water. Any day on the water is my favorite. All of your cares melt away.

Let’s start with the strong women in my life that have shaped me.

My Mom Sheila McClary who was a single Mother and raised me to be Independent. To never backdown on your dreams no matter how big or scary they are. Take life one day at a time and have faith what you’re working for will happen.

Next are my two special Aunts.
Glenda Anderson. She was the one who taught me to sew and have such an interest for refinishing old antiques and doing upholstery. She is a very talented seamstress and I was always fascinated by the way she could create things at her house and had a such special eye for finding the diamond in the rough when we were junking. She ran a company that created women’s clothing when I was younger and taught me the importance of having the right tool for the job. I bought my first piece of furniture that I reupholstered with her on the side of the road when I was a teenager and we still have it in the family.

Next my Aunt Elsie Kelly who is a self made, self taught business owner and the first woman to own a Harley Davidson dealership. She beat all of the odds and persevered to achieve her dream. Her words of advice that really stick with me is to always treat everyone that walks in your doors equally and with kindness… They may buy a T-shirt, a motorcycle or nothing… The point is they walked in your door and they are the most important people and they should be treated that way.

It is always so important to me to connect with people on a personal level. People matter! Everyone wants to feel seen and noticed. Connecting energy and giving our attention is the biggest way we can give of ourselves to each others. I hope if we’ve ever met you know how important you are to me.

Creatively, I first want to give credit to my dear friend Hollis Jeffcoat who recently passed away. I had the honor of being her assistant in her studio and her friend. I learned so much from her. She is the one who really encouraged me to get into doing abstracts. Seeing, light, color and movement in a different way. I remember one time she said to me, “Lacy you are trying to draw the object you need to feel the object and paint it that way”. I find myself looking up to the sky for inspiration. Looking into water at the movement of it and just really trying to feel the energy of a situation that inspires me.

Next, my friend Kevin Pottorf who was Robert Rauschenberg’s assistant on Captiva. He is always encouraging me to experiment with new mediums and to remove any limitations on my ideas.
I am looking forward to a collaboration with him.

I would definitely not be in the position that I am in without the support and love of Sanibel Island. My wonderful little island home. I hang my artwork in several of the local restaurants including George and Wendy Seafood Grill, 400 Rabbits and the Mad Hatter. I appreciate their support by displaying my work so prominently.

Also a big thank you for all of the love, support and friendship from Jean Morris and Lynn Emerson at BusinessLegal PC.

I think it is so important to give back to the community that has been so good to me. I have a handful of local charities that I support and donate art work to for fundraising efforts. It makes me feel good to know that we Islanders look out for each other. There’s such a synergy that is created when we all work together and it makes the possibilities endless on what we can achieve.