ARCHIVE: In March 1990, Ray Charles became the second collector of Andy Lakey's paintings and artwork. Like nearly all of Lakey’s work, the painting has a raised surface, textured with many layers of acrylic paint. The late singer/songwriter Charles, shown above with his painting Toxogon 2 Hundred Million B.C., spent over one hour with the artist, exploring the canvas with his fingertips.
“I will always remember
Ray Charles for the help and encouragement he has
given
me across my career as an artist.
God bless
him for all of his appreciation and his support.” –Andy Lakey
In 2010, Andy Lakey contributed the foreword to the Ray Charles biography, "You Don't Know Me: Reflections of My Father, Ray Charles," by Ray Charles (Jr.) Robinson and Mary Jane Ross, which won the NAACP Image Award for 2011 (Outstanding Literary Work, Biography). Lakey further credited Charles' influence upon his early career, writing," It was interesting that Mr. Charles would understand my work with insights that I never thought about."
