Being a teacher is more than just a job. It’s more than a just career. It’s a calling.

Our annual Top Teacher Awards are a way to honor deserving educators who have not only answered this call for public service, but they also go above and beyond to make sure their students are thriving.

After reviewing nominations submitted by parents, students, and colleagues, a panel of judges selected 10 deserving teachers to feature on the following pages.
This list—made up of various school districts, grade levels and subjects—is only a snapshot of the incredible teacher talent we have in our region.
Thank you to Chick-fil-A Wards Road/River Ridge for partnering with us again on this campaign and providing each teacher with a bag of gifts and coupons.

Lakrisha Scott, Director of Human Resources, Lynchburg City Schools is the Recipient of 2021 Level Up Award from Young Professionals of Central Virginia

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger:
Why did you choose to start a career in Human Resources?
Lakrisha Scott: I chose to focus on Human Resources because I believe that people are the most critical asset for every business.

HR is a fascinating field with many disciplines. Over the course of my career, I have come to enjoy focusing on benefits and recruiting. Human Resources plays a pivotal role in attracting, hiring, and maintaining talented employees, which is essential for companies to be successful.

SB: You were recently promoted at Lynchburg City Schools. How has your new job as Director of HR been going so far?
LS: This new role keeps me active for sure! I appreciate the confidence that LCS has shown in me as I have taken on these additional responsibilities. I am fortunate to have a team that really supports one another, and I enjoy every day here in the office working with them as we support the staff and students of LCS. Since the majority of my effort is focused on recruiting and hiring top candidates, I’m looking forward to having an influential role that can truly make a positive difference for students and families in our community.

SB: What goals do you have in your new position for the future?
LS: Ultimately, my goal here at LCS, like my colleagues, is to support our mission of “Every Child, By Name and By Need, to Graduation.” In Human Resources, we may not have direct contact with our students on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean we don’t contribute to their success. It’s imperative that we build an extensive talent pipeline with diverse professionals who contribute to the success of all students and are committed to promoting educational excellence. Another important goal I have is to promote professional career growth so that we can always grow and get better as educators. Additionally, I want to remain engaged with staff and maintain connections so that we can remain knowledgeable about staff needs and concerns. I aim to reduce employee turnover by remaining engaged, communicative, and offering competitive salaries for all positions.

SB: What kinds of challenges have HR departments faced over the past couple of years during the pandemic and how have you all weathered those challenges?
LS: The HR department has faced challenges over the past couple of years: managing a flexible workforce, remote onboarding, shortage of staff being able to work due to COVID-19, and achieving diversity with inclusion. We have weathered these challenges by utilizing remote onboarding via Zoom, creating a teleworking program, and increasing our substitute candidate pool.

SB: What is life like for you outside of work?
LS: When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and volunteering in the community. I am an active member of Cross Road Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the YWCA board, the Junior League of Lynchburg, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Disclaimer: We assembled our Guide to Private Schools listing based on thorough internet searches and calls/emails to local private schools to confirm information. If there are questions about accuracy or omissions, please email feedback@lynchburgmag.com.

Appomattox Christian Academy
Located: 1916 Redfields Road,
Appomattox
Year Founded: 2003
Number of Students: 128
Grade Levels: PreK-12th Grade
Appomattox Christian Academy (ACA), a mission of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, is dedicated to impacting students’ lives through the ministry of education. ACA strives to give families in the Central Virginia region a viable choice to provide quality, affordable, classical Christian education for their children.
www.appomattoxchristianacademy.com | (434) 352-7373

Blue Ridge Montessori School
Located: 1071 Woodberry Square Place,
Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1985
Number of Students: 101
Grade Levels: Infant-9th Grade
More than three decades ago, Tom Taylor opened the doors of Blue Ridge Montessori School in an old building in Forest, believing strongly in the long-term impact of Montessori education on our community and the future. The school later became a registered nonprofit in 1999 with a fully functioning Board of Directors made up of Montessorians, parent volunteers and local business leaders.
www.blueridgemontessori.com | (434) 525-0061

Cornerstone Christian Academy
Located: 169 Police Tower Road,
Appomattox
Year Founded: 2007
Number of Students: 100+
Grade Levels: PreK-12th Grade
Cornerstone Christian Academy is a Christian and Classical school located in Appomattox County. The academy serves over 100 students and their families offering a strong academic program in an encouraging and friendly environment. Cornerstone’s tuition is affordable, class sizes are small, and the teaching staff is well credentialed and experienced.
www.ccaofva.org | (434) 352-2345

Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy
Located: 19 George Street, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1921
Number of Students: 79
Grade Levels: K-10th Grade
After Elder E.A. Manry became the pastor of the Lynchburg Seventh-day Church in 1921, a church school was founded. After a brief closure, the school has been in operation since 1944 and was renamed after Desmond T. Doss, a Lynchburg Seventh-day Church member and World War II Medal of Honor winner. The school offers small class sizes where students’ giftings and struggles are taken into account. They also provide regular opportunities for spiritual and character development.
desmondtdoss.org | (434) 237-1899

Faith Christian Academy
Located: 361 Main Street, Hurt
Year Founded: 1988
Number of Students: 126
Grade Levels: PreK-12th Grade
Faith Christian Academy was founded by parents who wanted alternative options for schooling for their children. They offer high-quality education with small class sizes and faith-based curriculum along with 100 percent accreditation.
www.fcavirginia.com | (434) 324-8276

Fellowship Christian Academy
Located: 131 Old Colony Road,
Madison Heights
Year Founded: 1997
Number of Students: 400
Grade Levels: K-12th Grade
Fellowship Christian Academy started out using Abeka Home School Curriculum and held classes inside Solid Rock Church. Eventually, the school transitioned from the classroom to students doing work right at home through a web-based home school curriculum.
fca.srcministry.org | (434) 230-0752

James River Day School
Located: 5039 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1967
Number of Students: 264
Grade Levels: K-8th Grade
Founded in 1971, James River Day School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-ed day school that serves academically qualified students regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnic, social or economic backgrounds. At James River Day School, students learn life-long habits of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.
www.jrds.school | (434) 384-7385

Liberty Christian Academy
Located: 3701 Candlers Mountain Road,
Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1967
Number of Students: 1,956
Grade Levels: K-12th Grade
Founded by Dr. Jerry Falwell, the school is a fully accredited institution standing as a viable educational choice for parents who desired to have their children taught a Christian worldview from a Bible-based curriculum. Recognized as an accredited institution by the Commonwealth of Virginia, regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and internationally accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International, LCA has a recognized history of academic excellence.
lcabulldogs.org | (434) 832-2000

New Covenant Schools
Located: 122 Fleetwood Drive, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1991
Number of Students: More than 400
Grade Levels: PreK-12th Grade
New Covenant Schools’ founders were motivated by a vital interest in classical, Christian education, and by a desire to develop a school that would be thoroughly Christian, academically challenging, and grounded in the liberal arts. The school enjoys stable governance, a fully developed curriculum, and carries out its mission with more than 70 professional faculty, adjunct instructors, and administrative staff.
newcovenantschools.org | (434) 847-8313

New Vistas School
Located: 520 Eldon Street, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1986
Number of Students: 40
Grade Levels: 3rd-12th Grade
New Vistas School was founded by five Lynchburg-area women as a private, nonprofit day school dedicated to serving the needs of children and adolescents experiencing learning and attention difficulties. Their mission is to foster academic and personal growth by providing students with learning, attention, and emotional challenges so they can reach their full potential.
newvistasschol.org | (434) 846-0301

ONE Forest School
Located: Deerhead Nature Preserve, 4808 Smith Mountain Lake Pkwy, Huddleston
Year Founded: 2019
Number of Students: 15
Grade Levels: Pre-K-8th
ONE Forest School offers a primary grade school program, homeschool program and virtual learner program. Based in an outdoor setting, the school utilizes a traditional forest school philosophy, which focuses on emotional intelligence, as well as a project-based STREAM (Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum.
oneforestschool.org | (540) 682-6320

Onward Christian Academy
Located: 337 Lakeview Drive,
Madison Heights
Year Founded: 2016
Number of Students: 250
Grade Levels: K-12th Grade
Onward Christian Academy is a hybrid-model school that combines the best parts of homeschooling and private schooling. Students attend instruction at the Onward campus two days a week and homeschool with their parents the other days. More affordable than a traditional private school tuition, parents also feel supported in their homeschooling efforts through the guidance of professional educators.
www.onwardchristian.org | (434) 515-1495

Rivermont School
Lynchburg North & South
Located: 3024 Forest Hills Circle, Lynchburg
1011 Creekside Lane, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1997
Number of Students: 71
Grade Levels: 1st-12th Grade
Rivermont School provides a therapeutic educational program for students, ages 5-22, with special needs, including students with autism who have difficulty learning in a traditional school setting. Rivermont’s mission is to help students learn to manage their behaviors so they can return to their home schools, graduate and become productive citizens. Classes are small, usually eight to 10 students, and are taught by special education instructors and counselors.
www.newstoryschools.com | (434) 947-4697

Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy
Located: 1449 Hendricks Store Road,
Moneta
Year Founded: 2008
Number of Students: 420
Grade Levels: K-12th Grade
Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy was formed as an independent Christian academy through the vision, prayer, and tireless efforts of a dedicated group of men and women. Their original vision and mission was to develop the heart, soul, mind, and strength of each student for the glory of God. SMLCA is providing state-of-the-art facilities, accredited and excellent academic learning opportunities, and continually expanding athletic and performing arts programs.
www.smlca.org | (540) 296-3292

Temple Christian School
Located: 4465 S Amherst Highway,
Madison Heights
Year Founded: 1973
Number of Students: 300
Grade Levels: K3-12th Grade
Temple Christian School began as a ministry of Temple Baptist Church and the funds for the school were donated by Archie and Lorine Kidd. While the Kidds had no school-age children, they had a tremendous passion for Christian education. The school offers a disciplined yet loving environment in which every child receives personal attention. They see each student as a unique person created by God to live the fullest and most significant life possible.
www.mytemplechristianschool.com | (434) 846-0024

Timberlake Christian Schools
Located: 202 Horizon Drive, Forest
Year Founded: 1966
Number of Students: 389
Grade Levels: PreK-12th Grade
Timberlake Christian Schools, founded in 1966, is one of the first private schools to exist in the Lynchburg area. The vision of Timberlake Christian Schools is to be a discipleship and educational institution for young people in order to develop in them a passion for glorifying God and train them for a life consistent with a biblical world-and-life view.
www.timberlakechristianschool.org | (434) 237-5943

Tree of Life Academy
Located: 2812 Greenview Drive, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 2004
Number of Students: 150
Grade Levels: Infant-3rd Grade
The mission of Tree of Life Academy is to provide an education based on God’s principles in a Christ-centered academic atmosphere, which enables students to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as well as develop a respect for authority and be spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and physically prepared to meet each challenge life brings.
tolacademy.com | (434) 455-0294

Virginia Episcopal School
Located: 400 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg
Year Founded: 1916
Number of Students: 260
Grade Levels: 9th-12th Grade
Virginia Episcopal School is an inclusive, welcoming community of boarding and day students who are curious, smart, funny, kind and innovative—the next generation of creators and producers with the power to change the world. The school is an intentionally small, globally diverse educational community dedicated to excellence in student engagement, innovative learning and faculty support and growth.
www.ves.org | (434) 385-3600

World Community Education Center
Located: 1329 Prosperity Drive, Bedford
Year Founded: 1971
Number of Students: 35
Grade Levels: PreK-12th Grade
World Community Education Center (WCEC) is an independent, nonprofit Montessori school located in Bedford, serving families in the Lynchburg/Roanoke/Bedford areas. WCEC offers a prepared environment for learning focused on academic excellence and universal spiritual values. Individual attention is key to helping each student find his or her genius.
worldcommunityedu.org | (540) 297-1662

Highlighting the hardworking individuals who are providing a range of healthcare services in the greater Lynchburg region.

Social Media Buzz
Lots of readers were quick to weigh in on social media about our Top Teacher surprise at Brookville High School. In January, we caught math/physics teacher Corey Bonheim off guard with the news that he was selected as the #1 Lynchburg Living Top Teacher.

Jordan Evans wrote on Facebook: “He made physics so much fun. He completely deserves it!!!” Tiffany Burnette added: “So well-deserved. I always looked forward to his class. Congrats!”

Check out the full list of Top Teachers starting on page 89!

Community Calendar
Want to spread the word about your organization’s event? We’ve set up a new community calendar on our website where you can submit all of the information easily!

Just visit www.lynchburgliving.com/calendar-of-events/ to get started.

Having a cutting garden is good for the soul. It’s a good place to clear your head, observe nature and give the kids a few chores to “build character.”

As the owner of Irvington Spring Farm, I enjoy sharing our fresh flowers with locals—but I also enjoy sharing my expertise with those who want to make their own garden at home. Here, I walk you through some of the top factors to consider:

Take Inventory
To get started, take a walk around your yard, and see what you already have. Many common shrubs and trees can be used as cut greenery for flower arranging. Camelia, abelia, boxwood varieties, crabapple and evergreens are all options. Do you have clematis, ivy, honeysuckle, or sweet pea? Those vines can all be used for cutting. If you currently have any kind of landscape plantings, test them, and see if they work as cuts.

When plants are just emerging in the spring and have tender new leaves, they are not nearly as hardy. If you try something in May and it fails, try it again in June. It just might work then.

Location Selection
To bloom well, most flowers need full sun. Watch the way the sun moves around your yard and find an area that receives close to six hours of daily sun. Your spot should also have good drainage, good air circulation, relatively level ground, fencing and loose rich soil.

Humidity can cause a lot of fungus and mildew issues. Choosing resistant varieties and providing both good light and air flow is your best defense. To achieve good air flow, don’t crowd your garden next to your house, garage, or densely planted shrubs. Plants, like people, want to be able to feel the breeze blow through!

To check soil drainage, test the site you are considering.

Dig a planting hole 12 inches deep by 12 inches wide and fill it with water. Does the water stand in the hole?

Does it drain?

Does it drain slowly? You should be able to see water in the hole for about 10 minutes.

Water
You must have water easily available to keep your plants receiving the equivalent of an inch of rain a week. Drip irrigation systems and lay flat hoses are more efficient than both hose and overhead watering systems. Don’t water in the heat of the day as this increases plant stress and can cause disease issues. Watering early in the morning is best.

If you want to be a conscientious water user, consider drought-tolerant native plants such as mountain mints, monardas, rudbeckias, coreopsis species or herbs.

Soil Prep
Now, you are ready to prepare your beds for seeds or tender young plants. Loose, well-draining loamy soil is ideal. Garden writers are encouraging us not to till soil like our predecessors did. If you construct raised beds, you can create the perfect soil and have very few residual weeds as well. The term raised bed simply means an above-ground garden. It can be soil layered on top of the ground, a lasagna-style layered garden (for more information on this, I recommend visiting: growmyownfood.com

lasagna-gardening-101/), or a formal-built garden frame filled with purchased garden soil. However you choose to design your bed, three to four feet wide is usually good.

A soil with good loam will form a ball when you squeeze it together in your fist but easily crumbles apart when you poke it. These home tests obviously can be subjective. To request a soil test, call the Lynchburg office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension at (434) 455-3740.

Planting
Creating a garden is like painting a picture. There are so many colors and forms to choose from that you will be constantly curating your collection. It is extremely important when choosing plants that you know how tall they will get. Read the label on your plant or seeds and know what its growing habits are.

Include perennial plants where you can because they will save you money over time. They can be divided every three years or so, thus increasing your available plants, or trade them with friends for new varieties you don’t currently have. Think about having perennial plants that go through the whole season—from early spring favorites such as primrose, Lenten rose or columbine to fall-blooming asters and sedums. Garden Phlox is a nice medium-size perennial flower to have for cutting. Peonies are always a favorite, and they bloom for 50 years or more.

Annuals must be planted every year and they give gardens color quickly. To keep them blooming they must be deadheaded, which is when you cut old blooms off the plant. If you allow your flowers to make seeds, they will stop blooming. Zinnias and cosmos are prolific bloomers. Sunflowers, not so much. They must be replanted every two weeks to have successive blooms available.

Bulbs and tubers are another category in the cutting garden. Tulip bulbs allow you to grow an amazing array of color and form, if you can keep animals away from them. Orienpet lilies, also bulbs, have an amazing fragrance and are long-lasting. Dahlias, grown from tubers, are the fall queens. There is surely one that will become a favorite in your garden.

If you have multiple beds, don’t forget to use cover crops on rows that are done for the season. Cover crops help keep your soil well-fed so it in turn can keep producing well for you. (You can study more about cover crops at Johnny’s Selected Seed: www.johnnyseeds.com.)

Leave your garden debris along your path somewhere, perhaps at the end of the bed. This provides habitat for native bees and other creatures, such as toads and turtles, that will share your garden.

Maintenance
To keep your cutting garden looking its best, you need be attentive to it. A daily walk in the morning or evening to deadhead and watch for insect or other plant health issues will keep problems in check. You should harvest your flowers in the morning before it is too hot or once the temperatures drop in the evening. Always place your stems in water as soon as you can. Recut your flower stems after three days and fill your vase with clean water.

When you do diligent planning work, choose the right plants for your space, pay attention to the amount of water they are receiving and do your best to keep your plants deadheaded, your cutting garden will reward you with both bounty and beauty.

Irvington Spring Farm
Irvington Spring Farm offers cut flower seed trays, individual plants they think are worth adding to your garden, as well as dahlia tubers. Gardening classes on different topics are offered throughout the season. Learn more by following them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or visit their website, Irvingtonspringfarm.com.

It’s almost time for Lynchburg Garden Day! April 26, 2022

From unique architecture to stunning landscapes, Lynchburg is home to some truly beautiful homes and gardens. Every April, in coordination with the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, a group of local homeowners sign up to make their abodes open to the public for a self-driving tour known as Lynchburg Garden Day.

Whether you are a veteran to this event or brand new to the excitement, here is a preview of the homes and events this year, as described by the Lynchburg Garden Day co-chairs:

236 Irvington Springs Road:
(Kaye and Ben Moomaw)
Situated on 120 acres that was once the site of a working dairy farm, the Moomaw farmhouse was built in 1997 to accommodate a busy family of eight. While part of the property known as Irvington Spring Farm has welcomed tour visitors in the past, this is the first time the family’s home and personal garden has been showcased on Historic Garden Week.

1912 Quarry Road: (Becky and Bobby O’Brian)
Located on a quiet street, on land that was once a quarry, this elegant Cape Cod, built by Bobby O’Brian’s parents in the early 1950s, remains a loving family home. Tastefully decorated throughout and filled with an extensive collection of family antiques, portraits, and art from their travels, the homeowners have created a home that is both welcoming and highly functional for entertaining three generations of family and friends.

4941 Locksview Road: (Lisa and Jim Richards)
Based on the George Wythe House in Williamsburg, this home was designed by the homeowners and built in 1995. The two-story, brick Georgian honors colonial architecture while incorporating modern conveniences. The homeowner’s artistic eye is evident in collections of porcelain as well as French and English antiques throughout the home. An extensive display of paintings by Lisa Richards—a skilled portrait, landscape, and botanical artist—provides a connection to the garden beyond.

1503 Langhorne Road:
(Manisha and Hunter Wynne)
Gracefully situated on an estate lot, this Tudor house, built in 1928 as one of the first homes on Langhorne Road, opens its doors to Historic Garden Week for the third time. The home is an excellent example of this medieval style of architecture with its steeply pitched slate gabled roof. Asymmetry, handmade textured brick, embedded half timbers and a brick barrel arched entryway dominate the façade.

Special Exhibit at Randolph College
Your tour ticket also includes a floral exhibit at Randolph College’s Maier Museum. The College and members of both the Hillside and Lynchburg garden clubs have collaborated to showcase a must-see exhibition of floral arrangements interpreting four selections from the private collection at the Maier. Ticketholders are also encouraged to stop by the Dorothy Crandall Bliss Botanical Garden while on campus.

Find tickets at vagardenweek.org/tickets and stay connected by following Historic Garden Week Lynchburg on Facebook and Instagram.

Mark Your Calendars

March 12, 13
Opening Weekend at Poplar Forest
In anticipation of Poplar Forest’s official “Opening Day” of the season on Monday, March 14, there is a full weekend of activities planned at Thomas Jefferson’s retreat home.

Come out on March 12 for a day of family-friendly fun including “Historic Candy Talks,” quill pen writing, and archaeology demonstrations. On March 13, Poplar Forest is hosting an afternoon trail hike. Learn more at poplarforest.org.

March 18-20
Kiss Me Kate
Renaissance Theatre and the Academy Center of the Arts are collaborating to bring this iconic musical by Cole Porter to the local stage. First performed in 1948, Kiss Me Kate centers around the production of a musical version of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and the conflict on and off stage between the show’s star and his leading lady. For ticket information, visit academycenter.org.

April 23, 8 a.m.
Run 4 Their Lives 5K Run/Walk
Join together with local nonprofit
Freedom 424 at this hopeful event to raise awareness about human trafficking and encourage continued advocacy. The run starts at 8 a.m. at Liberty University. Learn more about the race at freedom424.com.

April 23, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Appomattox OysterFest
Foodies won’t want to miss this event at DeVault Family Vineyards, hosted by the AxM Community & Disaster Relief Organization. It features not only oysters but also seafood, barbecue, and regular
fare, as well as live music and alcohol tastings.
For more information, visit www.AppomattoxOysterFest.com.

April 4, 10 a.m.
Senior Putt-Putt Begins!
Lynchburg’s Senior Putt-Putt League, a program of Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, kicks off their season April 4 at the Putt-Putt Fun Center on Timberlake Road. They will meet every Monday at 10 a.m. (changing to 9 a.m. during the hot summer months). Participants play at a discounted rate, and volunteer leaders keep track of everyone’s scores all year long!

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to Mizumi Japanese Bistro on Main Street.

Goodbye to Trio Brick Oven Eatery
in Forest.

Hello! to a new location of Chick-fil-A at Candlers Crossing (formerly on Candlers Mountain Road).

Hello! to 5th Street Vitos, a NY-style pizza shop on 5th Street.

Hello! to Chef’s Store on Wards Road in the former OfficeMax location.

Hello! to the Yellow Submarine on Old Forest Road, which has reopened with new owners.

Hello! to a brick-and-mortar location of Nomad Coffee at the Ed Page entrance of the Blackwater Creek Trail.

What happens when you’re giving the local magazine a tour of your home and your dog won’t stay out of the way? You invite her into the photo shoot, of course!

Victoria Bartholomew and Jordan Reeves have lots of pets (five cats and two dogs), but Ida, their two-year-old Great Dane, is definitely the most social of the bunch.

When photographer Ashlee Glen attempted to get a portrait of the homeowners on their couch, Ida jumped into the middle of the shot and decided she was staying put.

There were a couple of times Ida had to be corralled into the kitchen while Ashlee took photos of the rest of the home.

Editor Shelley Basinger distracted her with her treats—and also snapped a few selfies.

Go inside their modern eclectic Rivermont Avenue home starting on page 59!

Flashe Artist

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger: Lawrence, you were drawn in to the art world in adulthood. Tell us about the trip that influenced you.

Lawrence Bowden: I am an emeritus Professor of Religion and Culture (and also the husband of Lynchburg artist, Karen Bowden) so art has always been important to me. But I began painting in 1997 as part of an academic sabbatical where I studied with internationally recognized Zen painter, calligrapher, and scholar Kazuaki Tanahashi. For a decade I concentrated entirely on practicing Zen brush painting using hand ground ink on rice papers. After retiring in 2007 I ventured into acrylics and eventually discovered Flashe, a vinyl water medium I now use exclusively.

SB: How does Flashe work exactly?
LB: Flashe works much like an acrylic paint except that it uses a vinyl polymer. This allows it to tolerate layering well and, in the way I use it, to reveal forms painted just below the surface as though the painting were translucent. In fact the painting changes with the light visually as you change your angle of viewing. The gold catches the light as though it were alive. You can’t capture that with a digital image. It has to be experienced. I like that it tends to evade the camera.

SB: Your forms often look almost like cut-outs, like they’ve been pasted on. How do you get that kind of texture?
LB: It’s called layering. I use multiple thin coats of paint and that takes a good bit of time to do. But the buildup of the paint surface creates an edge to the form that is actually a micro-texture rather than a visual illusion. That’s why it looks like a cut-out that could almost be plucked from the surface. Unlike painterly globs of pigment, layering retains the appearance of being smooth and continuous. That’s a product of the repetitive, slow buildup of
color. The texture then is not a trick, it’s real.

SB: How does the concept of Zen influence your art?
LB: What Zen does (or tries to do) is to teach you how to see. Not with words; not with didactics; not even by example. The Cistercian monk, Thomas Merton, put it this way: “Zen seeks not to explain but to pay attention, to become aware, to be mindful. In other words, to develop a certain kind of consciousness that is above and beyond deception by verbal formulas—or emotional excitement.”

SB: This is a good lesson for all of us as we view different types of art, right?
LB: I’m trying to encourage everyone to look beyond the surface of things they already recognize as familiar, things that are easily named, stuff you can identify quickly and just as casually dismiss. I want to awaken the capacity to see and to see more than meets the eye. I want to cultivate a viewer’s visual intelligence because I believe that’s what art can do when it’s being “art” rather than decoration.

It can change not only what we see but how we see and so expand our awareness. And maybe change our mind… there’s magic in that.

SB: You have a show at the Academy Center of the Arts in March. Which I’ve heard is a rare occurrence!
LB: That’s right, my show “Learning from Zen” opens in early March in the Academy’s Ann White Gallery. Although my work has been juried into both national and regional shows I view my painting as part of a Zen practice and rarely choose to make a show of it. However, I am honored to say my work has been curated by jurors such as Carter Foster of the Whitney Museum of American Art, Margot Norton of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, and Doug McClemont, writer for the SAATCHI Gallery and regular contributor to ARTnews.