The Empress: A Regal Presence on Washington Square Park
In a world where luxury meets art, few things are as captivating as the seamless blend of fine living and artistic expression. My latest work, “The Empress,” a 48" x 72" acrylic on canvas, captures this very essence of opulence and creativity. It’s an ideal centerpiece for spaces as extraordinary as the $26.5 million Greenwich townhome recently featured by Ryan Serhant, known for his shows on Netflix, Owning Manhattan and Million Dollar Listing.
Just steps from Washington Square Park, this historic West Village trophy townhouse was also featured in a 2023 episode of The Kardashians. Once the East Coast love nest of Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, it has been highlighted in prestigious publications like Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, The New York Post, 6sqft, and The Observer.
“The Empress” is more than just a painting; it’s a celebration of the divine feminine energy, an homage to the archetype of power, fertility, and beauty. In tarot, The Empress represents abundance and creativity, and I’ve sought to capture these qualities through a rich color palette that evokes both warmth and majesty. The large format of the canvas allows the viewer to be enveloped by this energy, drawing them into a world where elegance reigns supreme.
Just as Ryan Serhant curates homes that are more than just residences but works of art in their own right, he has used several of my pieces in this space, including my incredible canvas of the Taoist temple tops in Taiwan. This majestic Taoist Dragon, measuring 48" x 72", is a stunning addition to the guest wing, where other high-profile guests like Beyoncé stay while in Manhattan.
Million Dollar Listing:
The six-story home at 80 Washington Place comes with a classic Georgian red brick facade — and quite the musical history overall. Built in 1839, the stately townhouse was formerly home to composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, who created classic American marches like “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Semper Fidelis” and “The Liberty Bell.”
At 8,757 square feet, the smart-wired home features six bedrooms, eight baths, a custom glass elevator and three outdoor spaces. Floating wood stairs with a glass banister lead to a garden level with a foyer, an open chef’s kitchen and a double-height living room with a custom gas fireplace. A garden off the living room features an outdoor space with a teak cabana and kitchen designed by legendary restaurateur Silvano Marchetto.
In my latest series, Kaleidoscopic Blooms, I delve deep into the world of Japanese floral motifs, transforming centuries-old traditions into a contemporary visual experience. Drawing inspiration from the elaborate flower patterns worn by Kyoto geishas, this series reimagines the elegance of Japanese art through a kaleidoscopic lens. The paintings capture the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms, peonies, and chrysanthemums—each element meticulously refracted and rearranged to create stunning new patterns that explore the boundaries of abstraction and symmetry.
But these five paintings are only the beginning of the story.
A Multisensory Experience
Bloom is not just a collection of paintings; it's an immersive installation that invites viewers to step into a blooming world of color and movement. Each painting is displayed alongside its digital counterpart—a moving kaleidoscope that loops the refracted patterns in an endless dance of transformation. The digital projections capture the essence of the paintings and bring them to life in a way that traditional media alone cannot. Patterns morph, bloom, and dissolve in an ever-changing loop, creating a living artwork that is constantly evolving before the viewer's eyes.
To enhance the experience, 8-foot silk fabrics, printed with the same patterns found in the paintings, hang from the ceiling. These floating silks invite viewers to move through the space, interacting with the delicate, flowing materials as they are enveloped in the imagery. The silks echo the painted and digital forms, creating a bridge between the physical and the ephemeral, the static and the dynamic.
Tradition and Modernity in Dialogue
At the heart of Bloom is a conversation between tradition and modernity. The floral patterns I’ve used are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, often seen in kimonos worn by geishas as they glide gracefully through the streets of Kyoto. These motifs carry centuries of history, symbolism, and cultural significance. Yet, by fracturing and recombining these images through a kaleidoscope, I’ve sought to create something new—patterns that speak to both the past and the present.
The digital element adds yet another layer of contemporary relevance. By integrating technology into the experience, I can manipulate these traditional patterns in ways that would be impossible with paint alone. The continuously looping kaleidoscope animation offers a never-ending bloom—an embodiment of the idea that beauty is both transient and eternal, constantly changing yet forever present.
Cranes by Lucas Stoffel
Dasies by Lucas Stoffel
Peonies by Lucas Stoffel
Peacock by Lucas Stoffel
Mums by Lucas Stoffel
Bloom by Lucas Stoffel
The Art of Immersion
With this series, I aim to go beyond the canvas and create an immersive, multisensory experience that engages the viewer in new ways. The combination of traditional painting, digital animation, and tactile silk fabrics invites viewers to interact with the artwork, not just as observers, but as participants in the unfolding of the visual story.
Bloom is an invitation to enter a world of blossoming beauty, where the boundaries between art, technology, and the viewer blur. By combining elements of Japanese tradition with modern techniques, this series creates a unique experience that is at once rooted in history and pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.
This installation is not just about viewing art; it’s about experiencing it—stepping into a space where every element works in harmony to transport you to a world of color, movement, and endless blooming.
For the past 25 years, New York City has been my anchor. But this Iowa-born Catholic school boy has always been eager to find more. So, when the cold January winds blow, I head out on the road to immerse myself in photography, painting, and to seek a spiritual connection that binds us all together.
My experiences traveling this worlds well worn roads have been my greatest teachers, imparting lessons about life, compassion, and the pure joy of connecting with new people and cultures. The inspiration I've found in this vibrant part of the world is beyond measure, and I'm eagerly hopeful for more opportunities to explore and leave behind a positive impact on this earth.
Luke in Nepal during Holi
Luke and Kevin at Batu Caves
Luke in Kashmir
Luke and Jill in Kyoto
Luke and his classroom in Laos
Luke in Thailand
Luke in Kathmandu
Luke and his classroom in Laos
Luke in Egypt
In my journeys, I've always aimed to give back. In Laos, I volunteered to teach English and worked to raise money for a small after-school program at Sunrise Classroom. In Myanmar, I met Tun Tun, a young artist who sold his paintings and offered local tours to make ends meet. Using my social media expertise, I created an Instagram account for him, @lovebagan, to attract fellow travelers. I deployed internet bots targeting millennials traveling Southeast Asia to boost his online presence. Thanks to this increased traffic, he was not only able to start his own small travel agency, but years later, I learned he had become a certified government tour guide—a transformation that significantly improved his family's life.
And so, travel and my creative spirit have really become inseparable for me, especially after setting foot in over 35 countries. My guiding thought? If I'm traveling somewhere, I want to grow from the experience. I've dropped everything to spend a year in Hawai'i learning to surf. It wasn't always smooth sailing, but between the waves, I found my way onto the pages of Hawaiian Airlines Magazine as a contributing photographer. Then, one time, I spent three months in Taiwan helping my sister set up her new home. The country's traditions were captivating to me. So much so that the time there inspired an NYC Art Exhibition I called "Made in Taiwan," focused on the beauties of how the landscape weaves together the spirituality of Buddhism and Taoism. A few years later, I found myself looking for peace in the Philippines, diving deep — quite literally. I spent two months, faced my fears, and transformed from a newbie to an advanced scuba diver, diving the WWII shipwrecks of Palawan.
These journeys of exploration has shaped me into a passionate traveler and artist, instilling a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity that the world has to offer.
Luke Stoffel: Growing up in Iowa
Luke and his sister Heidi
Luke, Laure and Gwyn Stoffel
Luke, Erin, & Waka, ADC Foreve
Luke and Laura goto Barbie
Luke and his family in NYC
Luke and his sister Jess
After Skin Caner Surgery
Me and Alan at Lady Gaga
Luke and Kevin
I grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, in a big family with five siblings. We all went to Catholic school, and my dad worked on the assembly line, building tractors at John Deere. Our lifestyle was pretty much straight out of "Leave it to Beaver." Except I was gay... and being gay in Iowa was no picnic; the hardships I endured growing up only made me realize that leaving was probably the only road to happiness. Heading off to college did make life a little easier. I spent four years studying graphic design and forming valuable, lifelong friendships on and offstage in the theatre department. And when those connections made the big leap to New York City, I followed them right out the door!
Starting out in the bustling streets of the greatest city in the world, I found my footing with those Iowa State classmates off-Broadway with an off-color, underground hit show called "Urinetown." What was my role? Assistant House Manager. My illustrious duties spanned from serving beer to scrubbing toilets. It may not sound grand, but I was fortunate to have incredible bosses who saw my hard work, and invested in me. When the show transitioned to Broadway, I was right there with it. For five years, I played the role of the unsung backstage hero for the cast and crew. True, my "office" was a broom closet, but it was on Broadway after all. Amidst the dazzle and drama, I was also plotting my next adventure. I buckeled down between shows watching classic Disney movies in French. You see since high school, I had dreamt of finding love on the streets of Paris. So as I worked with Mickey on mastering "le français" with more than a passing grade, I packed my bags with passion and courage, said my goodbyes to "Urinetown," and jetted off to Paris. My mission for the ensuing six months? Immersing myself in the essence of French culture and language.
As it turned out Paris had this magical effect on me - it awakened my inner artist. My passion for painting collided head-on with my love for travel photography. In 2005, I had my first art show, and fast forward to 2012, I even snagged the Starving Artist Award for a series of paintings titled "iCon" that explored the unique dissonance of the world in juxtaposition with American consumerism.
How does all this translates into my Art?
I draw my deepest inspiration from the awe-inspiring beauty of this world, especially when that merges with our devotion to the unknown. In those rituals, songs, and dances where we as a people have crafted god, I find color, joy, and a deep fascination with our human spirit. Through my art, I'm on a journey to explore and convey these cultural interpretations of spirituality and bring all of our unique traditions to a wider audience.
My artistic style is a fusion, mixing hand-painted contemporary aesthetics with the iconic screen-printed vibes of Pop Art legends like Lichtenstein and Warhol. What you'll see in my work are visually arresting pieces, with vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and clean lines, often on pretty big canvases. It all starts with photography, which I use as my canvas, and then I take those images through a digital journey of transformation before bringing them to life with acrylic paints.
But at the core of my artistic mission: I want to break down the walls between diverse belief systems and promote inclusivity. The first time I went to Asia, I wasn't aware there was anything beyond Jesus and Mary, but Bangkok opened my eyes to a new world of buddhas and golden temples. This is why I translate the intricate narratives of various religions into accessible, relatable forms, hoping to prompt viewers to reconsider their perspectives on spirituality. In my own way, I'm trying to bridge cultural and religious divides, all in the name of understanding and unity.
My journey as an artist has been quite the ride, from the Starving Artist Award to taking part in the amFar Rocks Benefit for AIDS research, where my work took center stage. You can catch my art at some pretty cool spots in New York City, like the Art Directors Club, The Prince George Gallery, GalleryBar, and New World Stages. Through my time on this earth, I'm on a mission to spark beauty, unity, and a deeper appreciation of the common threads that connect us all, no matter our diverse beliefs.
