Meet the Expert: Jonathan Lopes, Lego Master Builder and Artist
Jonathan Lopes is a renowned artist who works within the medium of LEGO bricks. He focuses on a variety of genres including urban landscapes, conceptual art, and life-sized sculptures and is well known for his realistic and gritty urban scenes. He has been complimented as having “an instantly recognizable style” with his artwork.
For the past several years, Lopes has been the featured artist-in-residence appearing at all BrickUniverse Conventions across the United States, displaying over of 40 pieces at each event and presenting sessions on his creative process at each.
Lopes’ book, New York City: Brick by Brick, published May 2019, by Abrams Image, is available at book stores everywhere. After spending over 25 years immersed in New York City’s vibrant creative community, Jonathan relocated to San Diego, California with his wife, children’s book author, Marcie Colleen. You can learn more about Jonathan at his website found HERE
Jonathan with his wife, author Marcie Colleen, and a Lego sculpture of one of her Super Happy Party Bears
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Challenge:
Create a simple, imaginative structure of your own. You can sketch it out beforehand if you want, but don’t use official directions.
Just let your imagination roam free!
With your parents permission, send us a picture of what your cool recycling bin via email at podcast@solveitforkids.com OR
tag us on our Twitter or Instagram account @kidssolve
If you send in your challenge OR just leave a comment below about the episode, you will be entered into a giveaway to win a FREE copy of the book listed below.
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Highlighted book for this podcast!
The Art of LEGO Construction: New York City Brick by Brick
by Jonathan Lopes (Abrams)
The Art of LEGO Construction is the ultimate exploration of the architecture and history of New York City through the creative medium of LEGO. Expert builder Jonathan Lopes presents iconic structures of his own design, including the Flatiron Building, the Woolworth Building, the Manhattan Bridge, Grand Central Terminal, Junior’s Diner, brownstones, fire houses, and much more! Each model has been beautifully photographed with full-scale views and close-up details, as well as brief instructional breakouts. Lopes’s masterful constructions will inspire builders of all ages.
Book List:
The Lego Ideas Book: Unlock Your Imagination by Daniel Lipkowitz (DK Books)
365 Things to Do with LEGO Bricks: Lego Fun Every Day of the Year by Simon Hugo (Author), Alice Finch (Contributor)– (DK Books)
The LEGO Book – Box set by Daniel Lipkowitz (DK Children)
LEGO Amazing Vehicles by Rona Skene (DK Children)
Super Happy Party Bears Boxed Set #1: Gnawing Around; Knock Knock on Wood; Staying a Hive; Going Nuts by Marcie Colleen (Author), Steve James (Illustrator)
