Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007
The ¾¨Ó㴫ý Art Gallery features the works of Canfield, Ohio, artist Christopher Leeper through March 9.
The gallery is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday, noon-9 p.m. A gallery talk, which will focus on the four original works that were included in the children's book River Otter at Autumn Lane, is scheduled Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m.
"My paintings are responses to what I find visually interesting. The subjects are chosen because they trigger something inside me that begs to be painted," Leeper said. "Although my paintings are realistic, my goal is not to make a realistic rendering, but to capture that thing' that excited me in the first place. Usually this is about the play of light on the subject. Interesting light means interesting shadows and this creates dynamic value relationships. Thus, shape and value play a major role in my paintings."
Leeper graduated from Youngstown State University in 1988 with degree in graphic design and works full-time as a fine artist, illustrator and graphic designer from his studio in Canfield, Ohio. He is a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University and also serves as vice president of the Ohio Watercolor Society.
River Otter at Autumn Lane, a children's book illustrated by Leeper, was released in 2002 by the Smithsonian Institution. In 2004, he completed three more children's books: Ema the Rhino, Norman the Lion, and Jeshi the Gorilla for the African Wildlife Foundation. Leeper's most recent publication is Realism in Watermedia, released by North Light publishing company.
Leeper's art work has been included in numerous instructional publications such as: 100 Ways to Paint a Landscape; 100 Ways to Paint Seascape; Rivers and Lake; and How Did You Paint That? His paintings have been reproduced in several other books including Art From the Parks - 74 Artists Celebrate America's National Parks, The Best of Landscape Painting, and The Best of Acrylic Painting. The Artist's Magazine and Watercolor Magic are two well known publications that have featured his work.
Leeper has a busy exhibition, demonstration, and speaking schedule throughout the year. He has participated in many regional and national exhibitions, and has won numerous awards including the 1997 and 2003 Pennsylvania Trout/Salmon Stamp competition.
Contact Peggy Cox, ¾¨Ó㴫ý Art Gallery director and professor of art, at (724) 946-7266 or e-mail pcox@westminster.edu for more information.
