Robert Leedy
On display July 16, 2011 through August 12, 2011
Though Robert Leedy paints in just about all mediums, his real love is watercolor. Leedy prefers it for its fluidity, its transparent as well as granular qualities, its sense of spontaneity, its mobility, and its overall unpredictability. “Watercolor keeps things interesting and certainly keeps me on my toes…never a dull moment for sure!” he says with a big smile. Leedy has no intention of taming the beast; instead, he has learned over the years to act as a guide for the medium. Born in Winter Haven, Florida, Robert Leedy grew up in Jacksonville and studied art at Valdosta State University where he received a BFA in Art in 1979. He worked in graphic design and later the fine wine industry before devoting himself to painting full time. And after a long list of residencies throughout the Caribbean, Europe and South America, he now calls Jacksonville his permanent home. “Watercolor is a perfect travel companion,” Leedy notes, “and it is a natural for plein air painting.” And Leedy is a natural in plein air environments because that is how he learned to paint watercolor from the start: outdoors. Leedy’s subjects are quite varied and include landscapes, still lifes, and abstracts, as well as architectural and figurative works. What ties them all together is one common denominator: color. His paintings are full of bold and sometimes pure color. His personal style is also recognizable for the fluid and loose application of colorful and juicy washes.
Leedy has past affiliations with Asociacón Acuarelistas de Puerto Rico, The Indiana Plein Air Painters’ Association and The Colorado Watercolor Society. He is a current member of The Georgia Watercolor Society and The National Watercolor Society. Robert Leedy’s work can be seen at Archway Gallery & Framing in Atlantic Beach as well as Southlight Gallery and Studio 121 - both in Jacksonville, Florida. His work may also be viewed online at www.robertleedyart.com