WHEN LEE PERRAULT AND HER HUSBAND
of metal," she says. "They begin to come
CAME DOWN FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
together and take on a life of their own."
WITH A BOATLOAD OF RESCUED, GERI-
She reveals that when putting these
ATRIC ANIMALS, THEY DECIDED CAPE
metal pieces together, it’s almost like a
CORAL WOULD BE HOME. They renovated
puzzle. Her experience as a colorist and
a house they liked, but Lee would need a
interior designer, which she continues to do
studio. She found a home on Del Prado for
remotely in New Hampshire, shines through
her working studio with a gallery in front. She
in her artistry because Lee can tell intui-
currently has three artists beside herself who
tively if something needs a touch of color
sanding and pol-
display their work in her gallery.
and knows just how to work that in as well.
Lee has an intrinsic love for plein air paint-
It should come as no surprise that, years
ishing it starts
ing, which means painting outside. The light
earlier, Lee was immersed in the world of
and energy, she says, brings magic to your
graphic design as her love for drawing led
to reveal all the
art. Like most artists, she has been drawing
her down that path for a time. Though being
since she could hold a pencil. Most of those
able to both see and draw in three dimen-
beauty in these
first drawings were of animals, so in addition
sions came in handy, Lee did not see herself
to landscapes, she finds herself painting a lot
being chained to a computer and decided to
pieces of metal,”
of critters, though she admits that she moves
follow her heart instead.
“When you start
she says.
in whatever direction the art takes her.
Lee dances to her own tune and knows
In addition to painting, Lee has always col-
that life presents the right opportunities at
lected things to bring back to life or shape in a
just the right moment. Cape Coral presented
way that would brand them art. She often finds
itself, and Catbird Studio + Gallery was born.
herself on the beach or at yard sales, looking for
As a result, the hearts of many artists now
old pieces of throwaway metals. Where some-
beat within the walls.
one else has declared an item finished, Lee often sees another destiny in its future. “When you start sanding and polishing it starts to reveal all the beauty in these pieces April 2018 | Cape Coral Lifestyle
11