Artist Statement
The themes and subject matter of my work are drawn from the stuff of everyday life. Objects and imagery that elicit a curiosity and, in the process of translating this material into a sculpture or painting, I find the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the mystery and the inherent beauty of that initial experience. Similarly the genesis of a piece may arise from an odd or misconstrued turn of phrase, an idiom that opens up new possibilities through the juxtaposition of seemingly incongruent material. I see these as an invitation to allow humour and a more playful spirit to enter. Similarly, I have often been grateful for the “mistakes” that disrupt the focus of my planned outcome. For I believe this is the region where new learning is most available. It keeps me humble!
Biography
Leonard has been involved in the visual arts in one form or another for most of his life. As a child, growing up in the context of a mobile military family, toys and companionship often involved creating and animating plasticine figures as well as following the lives and ongoing challenges of comic book heroes. The grounding in these early experiences continue to find their voice in his artwork.
After graduating from the Alberta College of Art and Design where he majored in sculpture, Leonard went on to study ceramics, photography, art education, counselling and art therapy at U.of C., U.B.C., and U.of Vic..For many years Leonard has participated annually in both the Sooke Fine Arts as well as the Sidney Fine Arts Shows where he has been the recipient of multiple awards for his sculptures as well as his paintings.
Although Leonard has been an art instructor for over 35 years he still sees himself as a student and continues to approach the creative process with curiosity and wonder. He is committed to the ongoing process of discovering new creative possibilities as well as the pursuit of meaningful imagery. A career in counselling and teaching has only deepened Leonard’s appreciation of our common search for meaning and connection. His allegorical artwork is most often an attempt to give expression to those existential questions that invariably arise and explore some of those themes that bind us on this common journey.