|
Jeff
Leedy. a San Francisco Bay Area Artist, is quickly becoming
recognized as one of the top humorous artists in the country.
Through outdoor art shows, numerous gallery accounts and the recent
licensing of his images onto products, he is building a national
following and, as he paints yet another big nose into a sea of
vibrant yet serene color he says, "I am the collision of the New
Yorker and Impressionism."
One of Leedy's life goals has been to spread laughter in the world.
Because of his fun-loving connection with people who come to enjoy
and purchase his work, he and Elaine, his wife and business partner,
chose self-publishing to maintain that special contact in 1988.
Leedy introduced his now-famed "Demando Cat" at the premier
Sausalito Arts Festival. Cat lovers four-deep, exclaimed, "I must
have that print-- that's my cat."
Since then, Leedy has self-published a myriad of open and limited
edition prints, including his best-selling , "Counsel Approaching
the Bench," a courtroom scene which depicts two shark fins actively
heading towards the judge.
In time he began to devote more of himself to his fine art -- and
Leedy's humor was out of the barn. "After I have an idea that's
really funny and true, I make up the scene and the characters from
'the visual library in my mind'. Then, I promised myself two things:
first, that I will strive to make each piece as artistically
satisfying as I can, and second, to have as much fun as I can. Then,
it happens. My art is me."
Born in New York at a very early age, Leedy was enrolled by his
father at age 12 in the venerable Art Student's League in New York
City. After getting his BFA degree in 1962 at Syracuse University
School of Fine Art, he was drawn to NYC and San Francisco where he
spent 15 years with top ad agencies, such as Young & Rubicam,
creating TV and print campaigns and picking up a prized Clio and
other awards. In 1974 he relocated and fell in love with Sausalito
waterfront charm.
In 1987, the NY Society of Illustrators (a conservative bunch) chose
Leedy to receive their "Gold Funny Bone", one of three awarded out
of a field of 3300 applicants. Since then, he has exhibited in
international humor exhibitions in Japan, Belgium, Italy, and the
country that brought us yogurt: Bulgaria.
In the future, Leedy hopes to paint murals in public spaces, any
place that needs a good dose of joy. "Imagine yourself coming into a
big hospital lobby, maybe a rail station or public building and
there, huge on the wall is a work of art that absolutely cracks you
up. How good to feel that way. Underneath the painting a tiny
plaque. It reads: "Are you laughing at my art? Well good. You look
like you could use a laugh."
Jeff Leedy art work can be purchased as originals, prints, and
posters.
|