Lacy’s Artwork Returns to the Spotlight

Known for his oil paintings, watercolors with pastels, pen and ink, and lithographs, Ernest Lacy’s legacy in the art world is undeniable. His life from 1928-2020 had always been visual – he knew he wanted to be a fine arts artist from a young age after seeing such mastery from artists like Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet.

He was born in Los Angeles, but his biggest inspiration remained in rural Mexico City and Italy. He captured photos in places he believed to be beautiful and his daughter, Sunita Lacy, fondly remembers him bringing those photos into his studio to paint on his mighty canvas all throughout her childhood.

“You knew it was an Ernest Lacy,” his daughter, Sunita, says. “His technique, his colors, the way he captured people and places – it was his fingerprint.”

During his lifetime, he has won numerous blue ribbons and has been exhibited at major art shows like the distinguished Festival of Arts in Newport Beach and even showcased in publications such as Forbes.

His peers in the Whittier Art Association and other California art circles recognized his skills; for example, being chosen as the 2010 Hillcrest Festival Featured Artist implies that Lacy had won top prizes in prior years, as festivals typically invite a featured artist who has an outstanding record.

His work reflected the imperfections of people, which is what he believed made them beautiful. Even though he loved painting the rolling hills of his favorite landscapes, he also appreciated the human experience and all the intricacies that come with being a person.

To honor their father, Sunita and her brother, Tor, are holding an art show in Long Beach on May 10th. Sunita has kept hundreds of her father’s art pieces in her garage since his passing and knows that his art is meant to be shared to the world.

“His work isn’t being seen in my garage… I’d rather it be out on people’s walls, with them really enjoying it,” she says.

When he was alive and selling his work, he would sell his pieces at high prices, but his children want people to get the chance to purchase his art at fair and reasonable prices at the art show. It will be a special day for Sunita and Tor and also attendees, as it will be the first time some of the pieces have met the public eye.

The siblings plan to have more art shows in the future and are working on reviving their father’s website so more of his artwork is accessible to everybody interested.

For all the art lovers out there interested in seeing Ernest Lacy’s work on May 10th, give Sunita a text to receive the address, which is located in Long Beach’s California Heights area. Her phone number is (562) 230-9949.