Chicago Art Artists Galleries
Jeff
Leedy - Humorous Whimsical Funny Art
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.
