But after Lee’s son died in 1986 it prompted her to leave the railroad job and fully embrace her talents. The decision would catapult Lee to the heights of the global arts community. One of Lee’s most famous works, “Blue Monday,” was inspired by the events of her own life. The painting depicts a woman struggling to leave her bed for the daily commute and drudgery of the workday, something Lee contended with during her days as the lead clerk at the railroad.
Lee’s work has also appeared on the sets of television and film productions such as 227, A Different World, Coming To America and Boomerang, among others. Lee’s business, Annie Lee’s Gifts, is a one-stop shop featuring much of her work On the site, she names herself as a humorist and realist, with her artwork becoming known as “Black Americana.” She also explained via her website that the use of the faceless figures helped her paintings tell their own stories, and that “Blue Monday” was her only self-portrait.
Lee left Chicago some time ago, choosing Las Vegas as her home as it allowed her the joy of painting in the outdoors. Lee also worked closely with The Tom Joyner Foundation, establishing her distinction as a humanitarian while graciously sharing her knowledge with anyone she encountered.
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