The LUCY Drawing Tool: A Journey of Invention and Inspiration

Les Cookson here, creator of the LUCY Drawing Tool. I’d like to take a moment to share with you the journey of LUCY – a path that intertwines invention with personal growth and community.

While discussing one's own path can feel self-indulgent, the evolution of the LUCY is a narrative that expands with each artist and student who engages with it. It's a shared chronicle, and by owning a LUCY, you're a vital part of this continuing tale. 

In the video above, I've captured the essence of the hurdles and victories encountered in bringing the LUCY to life. It’s more than just a tool; it's a testament to resilience and the undying passion for creation.

From a young age, I was always drawn to the arts and the act of creation. I had a sketchbook with invention ideas that I designed, before I even knew who Leonardo da Vinci was, I had my own da Vinci like sketchbook with designs of a solar cooker with an array of magnifying glasses or a perpetual motion go Kart powered by falling rocks. When I was a kid if someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would Immediately answer: “an inventor”.

Growing up, those dreams began to seem like fantasies, especially when an invention idea of mine, the CarSik Bib, was mocked on ABC’s Shark Tank. But the fire of invention is not easily doused. My determination remained unshaken.

My epiphany came in 2005 while standing in a classroom, captivated by a camera lucida – an ancient tool that cast an ghostly image of the subject onto paper. This wasn't just a piece of history; it was a doorway to myriad possibilities.

I spent the next four years immersed in research and experimentation. My mission: to reinvent the camera lucida for modern artists. And eventually, I succeeded.

The LUCY Drawing Tool was born – a bright, adjustable, and large image that didn't rely on a darkened room or spotlight. It was the classic camera lucida, reimagined and revitalized.

My invention was a conduit to the past, rekindling the lost magic for today's creators. The struggle to transition from inventor to entrepreneur was arduous, until I found that all I needed to do was share this spark with like-minded souls.

And then, there was the moment of redemption – returning to Shark Tank, but this time with a successful business (watch the full pitch HERE). As satisfying as that was, the essence of my work lies beyond sales figures. It's about the act of creation, the enchantment of innovation.

Every individual who peers through the LUCY and embarks on a creative quest adds to our collective story. It's the sharing of that initial spine-tingling inspiration that has spread this magic across the globe, leading to the birth of new art.

The LUCY isn't just a product; it’s a piece of history, a tool for creation, and a spark for the artist within all of us. It's the embodiment of a journey that celebrates the process of invention and the collective spirit of creativity.

Thank you for being an integral part of this narrative. Your support is the canvas on which the LUCY story continues to unfold.