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Lenny Lyons Bruno and her husband Gordon (Rick) Bruno are photographers we met at our first art fair in Ann Arbor in 1979. Both of them were very restless in their media and continued to push their imagery. When you saw them at an art fair you never were sure what they would be exhibiting as they were serious about exploring the creative life.

Lenny left photography behind probably about ten years ago and has worked in mixed media and painting in recent years. They both left the art fair business about five years ago and settled in Lexington, VA, to open a gallery and get off the road. I recently received news about her recent work. The oldies among us are pleased to hear what she has been up to and the not-so-old may be inspired by her story.

LEXINGTON ARTIST APPRECIATES LOCAL SUPPORT
 
Lexington artist, Lenny Lyons Bruno, would like to say thanks for the enthusiastic support she received from so many Lexington-area residents over the past several years while developing the "Coal Camp Series," a collection of contemporary mixed-media paintings. "I was profoundly encouraged by friends and visitors who viewed the progress of the work at the former Lexington Art Gallery."

Part of the "Coal Camp Series" on display at the the Huntington Museum of Art in Huntington, West Virginia. Photo credit Jenine Culligan.

The "Coal Camp Series" is currently featured in a one-person show at the Huntington Museum of Art in Huntington, West Virginia. The official exhibit opening coincides with the Museum's Holiday Open House on December 4th from 1-4 PM. The artist will be present and the Open House will benefit the Huntington Area Food Bank. The "Coal Camp Series" will be on display at the Museum until February 19th, 2012.
 
  Lenny's memories of growing up in a West Virginia coal camp were the inspiration for the "Coal Camp Series." Her hardscrabble childhood experiences are also the subject of a recently published book, titled Blackberry Winter. Written by Beverly Tucker (also a Lexington resident), the book features Lenny's art, excerpts from her mother's journals, and the story of her childhood.

Lenny Lyons Bruno at work in her Lexington studio, 2009. Photo credit Celeste Simon.

In appreciation for the encouragement Lenny has received, she and Beverly are making the entire book available online, free of charge. If you are interested in seeing Lenny's art and reading the story behind the paintings you can access the book at:  http://www.blurb.com/books/2525500
 
If this hyperlink doesn't work, copy and paste. The thumbnails at the bottom of the screen will allow you to browse through the story, paintings and sculptures. To comfortably read the text, click on "view" at the top of your browser, then select "zoom" from the drop-down menu and reset to 200%.
 
The "Coal Camp Series" also has a Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/coalcampseries
 
The page contains links to articles written about Lenny's work and more photos of the "Coal Camp Series." If you are a Facebook member, please "like" the page to receive periodic updates. 
 
For more information about the "Coal Camp Series" or Blackberry Winter, please contact the Bruno family at lyonsbruno@mindspring.com.

Congratulations, Lenny, on all these satisfying ventures. Your friends wish you well.