Thursday, March 20, 2008
Lloyd Bradbury of Riverside Il.
Lloyd Bradbury
Lloyd BradburyArtistLloyd Bradbury was delivered prematurely when he was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1937. The time he spent in an incubator as a new born, saved his life but also damaged his eyes. His poor eyesight created many obstacles growing up, but his persistence and intelligence prevailed. After graduating from high school Lloyd spent two years at Mammoth County Community College taking courses in radio engineering. Joining the Army in 1963 Lloyd became a Technical Sergeant and continued his education at night at Texas Western extension. With an honorable discharge Lloyd went under contract to Zimmerman Engineering and taught Radio Communication Theory at the Great Lakes Navel training center. Two years later Lloyd took a job as an instructor at Chicago Technical College where he also earned his engineering degree.In 1979 Lloyd suffered a stroke which left him completely disabled. It took five years to recover but during this time his eye sight grew much worse. As part of his rehabilitation he took it upon himself to begin painting and sculpting. He also became very active taking drawing classes at Morton College, volunteering at the Shed Aquarium, Chicago Field Museum, and Mercy Hospital.In his 60’s painting became more of an avocation than rehabilitation. Now completely blind in his left eye and severely limited vision in his right, Lloyd had developed a technique of painting with his right eye about 3 inches from the canvas in order to see the marks he was making. The imagery he paints comes from his mind which often results in a surreal style with bold brush strokes and vivid colors. In the 1980’s he was juried in as an Oak Park Art League member and was awarded a prize for his work. He also became a Art League trustee. Lloyd has shown at the Riverside Library, Town Hall, the Riverside Arts Center, as well as Fresh Express and Buzz Café coffee houses in Riverside and Oak Park. Having donated his art to Churches, schools, and Charity auctions, as well as lecturing on art and inspiration, he has developed quite a following and sold over 100 paintings.
Lloyd BradburyArtistLloyd Bradbury was delivered prematurely when he was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1937. The time he spent in an incubator as a new born, saved his life but also damaged his eyes. His poor eyesight created many obstacles growing up, but his persistence and intelligence prevailed. After graduating from high school Lloyd spent two years at Mammoth County Community College taking courses in radio engineering. Joining the Army in 1963 Lloyd became a Technical Sergeant and continued his education at night at Texas Western extension. With an honorable discharge Lloyd went under contract to Zimmerman Engineering and taught Radio Communication Theory at the Great Lakes Navel training center. Two years later Lloyd took a job as an instructor at Chicago Technical College where he also earned his engineering degree.In 1979 Lloyd suffered a stroke which left him completely disabled. It took five years to recover but during this time his eye sight grew much worse. As part of his rehabilitation he took it upon himself to begin painting and sculpting. He also became very active taking drawing classes at Morton College, volunteering at the Shed Aquarium, Chicago Field Museum, and Mercy Hospital.In his 60’s painting became more of an avocation than rehabilitation. Now completely blind in his left eye and severely limited vision in his right, Lloyd had developed a technique of painting with his right eye about 3 inches from the canvas in order to see the marks he was making. The imagery he paints comes from his mind which often results in a surreal style with bold brush strokes and vivid colors. In the 1980’s he was juried in as an Oak Park Art League member and was awarded a prize for his work. He also became a Art League trustee. Lloyd has shown at the Riverside Library, Town Hall, the Riverside Arts Center, as well as Fresh Express and Buzz Café coffee houses in Riverside and Oak Park. Having donated his art to Churches, schools, and Charity auctions, as well as lecturing on art and inspiration, he has developed quite a following and sold over 100 paintings.
