Mendocino &
Sausalito California Artist - 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.
