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Winner of the 2000 Extravagant Emu Egg Contest
Diorama Category
Lee Michele Boyle

“Ultra-realism and wildlife art were not as recognized (then) as it is today, and my high school art teacher (who advocated a more abstract style) ridiculed my efforts, devastating my fragile self-confidence with her report to my parents that "I had no talent".  As crushing as that blow was to her ego, Lee Michele Boyle listened to her heart and her parents, and continued expressing her art in the style she was most comfortable with.   Over the years she has experimented with various mediums and techniques, refining and fine tuning the methods she uses to express the vision she holds in her mind’s eye.   However, it has only been in the last three years that she has allowed anyone outside of her relatives and closest friends to see her work.

 http://www.geocities.com/m_chidester/encyclopedia/LBoyle.html”

Lee tells us that a whole new world of creative possibilities in egging opened up when she read an article written about Doris Lockerbie and her eggeury art in the Calgary Herald.   “In March 1998, Doris graciously opened her heart and home and began to nurture the talents of a group of us now affectionately known as "the Fowl Eggers", and at 38 years of age, I am the "baby" hatchling.” Lee laughed. “In the summer of 1999, Doris introduced me to the beauty of my first emu egg and the joys of vinegar etching.” 

Since that time Lee has bloomed, experimenting with a vinegar-etched dot technique on emu eggs, and has even taught that technique to the Fowl Eggers group.  She has also had several how to articles published in egging magazines.

 “Paws of a Lynx” (which won second place in the Carved/Etched/Engraved Emu Egg Category) was her fifth in a series of emu egg vinegar etchings, and “Penguin Passion” (first place, Diorama) was her seventh.  

Lee’s eggs encompass a variety of techniques and styles, including pysanky, pencil crayon, vinegar-etching, scratch art, painted (acrylics), artists pastels, enameled and marbleized, beaded, diorama, fimo creations,
hinged, lattice, and decoupage, most of which follow a theme inspired by nature's animals, birds, or flowers, or by her faith as a Catholic.  She is currently planning her first carved egg and looking forward to experimenting with other techniques.

All of Lee’s designs are originals and are drawn free-hand, using a number of photographs or objects as references. The Calgary Zoo, her mother’s colorful garden and all the birds that visit the yard and birdfeeders year-round are sources of inspiration.  She also tells us that some of her best ideas come in the middle of the night, so she always keeps a pen and paper handy by her bedside. 

Preferring to work alone, Lee spends a great deal of time researching her subject prior to creation and just as much effort into pairing it with the right stand.  Each of her eggs is given a name inspired by its theme, and provided with a personalized 8 1/2" x 11" Certificate of Authenticity for each
egg sold (wherein she provides a description of the type of egg and techniques used in its creation). 

 “God gives each of us distinctive gifts and talents, and the challenge to discover, develop, and share them.  I've come to realize that my art is an expression of my joy and wonder in being a part of God's creation, and is my way of sharing the smile in my heart with others.”

Visit Lee's website at Lee's Legacy or email her for more information on her eggs at: leeboyle@telus.net