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.
