Lee Alban
Lee Alban was taking photographs when the steam train conductor approached, and said, “You should have been here last month, Pete Lerro had a photo shoot.” Alban replied, “Who is Pete Lerro and what’s a photo shoot?” That short conversation changed everything.
Alban signed up for the next opportunity to photograph steam trains and began painting scenes of trains, vintage automobiles and actors dressed in period costumes. There were night and daytime locales, bridge crossings, intersections, workshop locations, railroad stations and yards, old trucks, Amish wagons and people in costumes.
One day he received a call from
Lerro, who said, “I’m putting together a photoshoot that might interest you.” He was asking women railroad workers and reenactors to dress in Rosie the Riveter style clothing and to bring props of World War II vintage. Alban became as much of a portrait and figure painter as a painter of steam trains, and created a new series he called Silk and Steel.
Appearing in American Art Collector, his work drew the attention of event planners, major galleries and collectors. His paintings won numerous awards, including signature memberships in Oil Painters of America and National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society, and Alban was designated an ARC Associate Living Master.
As his work garnered more attention, Alban learned of another group of women who worked with steam engines, and not only did they have chapters in the U.S., but also in other countries. They restored and operated steam tractors and other steam farm equipment and they called themselves “The Ladies of Steam.” The passion and dedication of these women continue to provide inspiration for new paintings.
His work now includes the Ladies of Steam, the West, Native Americans, early oil exploration, diners and other stories.