Meet Eugene Lucas | Photographer., Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eugene Lucas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eugene, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?

I grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. My family encouraged my creativity and taught me to respect and treat everyone equally. In my adolescent years, I was into the metal and hardcore scenes. I really connected with music and also listened to rap and techno. I could usually be found at local shows, skateboarding, or dabbling in graffiti. As I got older, those things faded but remained part of my core and have all inspired my art.

I started taking pictures when my daughter was born and always enjoyed getting a great shot. I’ve played with it on and off over the years but more for my personal enjoyment. After the passing of my mother a few years ago, I decided I was going to take a loan out to invest in a camera and start taking photography seriously. I wanted to be able to express myself and also leave behind a legacy. My photography was very well-received by my family, friends and, to my surprise, other people in the art community. This city has a very active art community and is so creative musically, artistically and in many other ways. The community as whole is very supportive of it all. I’ve made some really talented, supportive, great friends throughout this journey.

About a year and a half ago, I started to explore painting as well. I love both mediums equally and float back and forth between the two. Without the support of my fiancé, Shannon Osborne, and the community, I’d probably be a very different person. All the creators in this city push you to do more and to be better than you were yesterday in all aspects, and I appreciate all the support they’ve given me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I was born creative and enjoyed drawing and art as a form of self-expression for as long as I remember, but as I got older and life took over those things got pushed aside. When I started photography in my 40s, I felt like I was already late to the game. I started by just walking around the city and taking photos of buildings. Then I decided I wanted people in my photos, so I invested in a second camera and worked up the nerve to start shooting street photography. Later on, I would feel comfortable enough to start offering people portraits. I love shooting portraits – the connections made with people and the overall feeling that something was accomplished here.

My exploration of painting began when my fiancé’s brother, Jordan Hayes, was doing some painting at our house and asked if I wanted to join him. I decided to try it and loved how my first one turned out. I’ve drawn influence from my favorite artist, Jean Michel Basquiat, who I’ve been a fan of for 10 years or more now. I love the freedom painting gives me to express myself, process my emotions and connect with others. I started using acrylics and have added multiple other mediums. You never know what layers and textures you’ll find in my paintings as you look closely at them!

Since starting this creative journey, I’ve been fortunate enough to have had numerous art and photography shows around the city. Looking ahead to 2025, I will have my first gallery show, which I couldn’t be more excited and nervous about! I leave pieces of myself in all my work – trying to provoke an emotion in the viewer or even in myself. Being creative has been therapeutic in my personal life. I’m soulfully richer and more confident, and depression rears its ugly head a lot less. When you find what you’re meant to do, life becomes a lot easier.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start with us grabbing a coffee at my favorite spot, Commonwealth Coffeehouse.  We’d then chat it up while walking the small downtown and stopping in some of my favorite places – The Scranton Gallery, Little Wild Refillery, and Analog Culture. These are all great local shoppes that exhibit art regularly. Next, we’d have lunch at Chef Von & Mom, because it’s the most delicious fare around. For the evening, we’d head to Crotti’s on Ash for some blues/acoustic live performances and a light dinner. Then, off to Vspot or any of the other live music venues in the city to rock out!! Or somewhere to sing Karaoke…I love Karaoke…haha

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out my fiancé, Shannon. Without her patience, love and nurturing ways, I could be in a very different space. Her work in understanding trauma, childhood trauma and how that all plays out in us as adults has helped me have a better understanding of myself and others. She’s helped me heal old wounds by just being there, listening with intent, and offering advice based on what she learned in her journey through her career and life.

Instagram: @ejlthree

Facebook: Ejl3