Artfocus: Tuscan Villa

THE STORY BEHIND THE TUSCAN VILLA PAINTING

My work is tremendously inspired by the French. If reincarnation exists, I was certainly French in a former life for my love of the countryside, buildings and food.

This painting, entitled Tuscan Villa, was created in April 2005 and is in my personal art collection; however, prints are available on my website at (www.alicialeeke.com). It was inspired by the Senanqu Abbey in Provence, France, but with my own personal twist.

Creative license played a major role in the creation of this painting. Up until 2008, I painted very little with grey as a major component in my compositions (I think to date only three so far and mostly as color field studies for landscapes). As a matter of fact, I find grey to be the drabbest color in the color spectrum and try to eliminate it from all paintings where possible (Until the painting of Stockholm and Five O’clock Shadows in 2009). In real life, this Abbey is very brown / grey with beautiful contrasting fields of lavender.

But due to my dislike of grey at that time, and my love of harvest gold, I turned this painting into a tropical paradise making the building a creamy gold with a red Spanish-style shingle roof and lush tropical lime-green trees and blue sky. While beautiful, the lavender fields were replaced with lush crops in varying shades of green dotted with hints of red, gold and a tinge of lavender.

This is truly a painting I painted for myself! I love the distorted lines and lack of perfection in perspective. In fact, I believe freedom to create without worry of judgment is what sets my Cityscape paintings apart from other artists.

The two abstract shapes in the foreground are actually people harvesting lavender. I liked the figures so much as they were unfinished; I decided not to clothe them.

In May 2008, I went on a Spiritual retreat in Star, North Carolina with Gary Spivey and met some incredibly interesting people. Later, I was commissioned by a fellow guest to paint a similar version of this piece. This commission is much larger than my 16 x 20 original at 30 x 40 in size, and after a few conversations, the painting is taking an additional direction and turning into a Montresorri School. The requestor asked for stained glass windows to be added signifying her love of children. Ironically, I don’t believe she knew the original piece was of an Abbey.

This is one of the few pieces in my body of work that I created about three open-edition, gallery-wrapped giclees. At this printing, I am not sure if I will do any additional open editions of any of my paintings because I personally prefer signed and numbered limited-editions.

Signed and numbered giclee prints of Tuscan Villa are available for $250 framed and matted, or $80 unframed. The current edition has 250 prints total with some still available as of this posting. The two open edition prints are available at investor prices and will be customized for the purchaser for provenance. For more information or to order your copy, email me at info@alicialeeke.com.

Image copyrighted by the artist. All rights reserved.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN PAINTER ALICIA LEEKE’S WORK SELECTED FOR CHICAGO ARTFUL DESIGN SHOWCASE

Two of Contemporary American painter, Alicia Leeke’s abstract landscapes were selected by Chicago Designer Julia Buckingham Edleman of Buckingham Interiors for Chicago’s One of A Kind Show and Sale Artful Design Showcase held December 2-5.

Pictured here (left to right), the two 30 x 40 paintings, entitled, Five O’clock Shadows and Stockholm painted by Leeke adorn grey and white wallpaper Edleman chosen from Farrow and Bali’s -  The Lotus Paper collection for the wall covering. Centered in the room is a mirrored bookshelf flanked by two white leather chairs and hand-crafted, chain-link side table. Above the chairs sit Leeke’s paintings.

Edleman handpicked the works of for her space out of more than 500 exhibiting artists. According to Edleman, “The space shows customers how to implement hand-made and one of a kind art objects into their living space.”

Edleman believes “there is no such thing as 'luck' in great design." Interior spaces should be filled with the excitement of beautifully crafted environments and her "Out-with-the-boring, in-with-the-bold" style is recognizable in every space she designs.

Edleman has been praised for her design creativity in her client’s spaces and she and her firm bring over 10 years of client relationships and their happily inspired homes to the forefront of many national and local publications. Traditional Home, Metropolitan Home, Home Magazine, The New York Times, Chicago Home + Garden, and The Chicago Tribune to name a few.

The ninth-annual Chicago One of A Kind Show is a holiday tradition where 50,000 shoppers can find truly unique gifts and home décor items by North America’s best artists, artisans, and designers.

Alicia Leeke is a native South Carolinian and an avid painter whose works are highly coveted by corporate and private collectors from New York to California and Paris.

For information on purchasing one of Leeke's paintings please call (803) 429-5456, via fax at 888-429-5456, or via email at leekeka@hotmail.com. Examples of her work and experience can be viewed at www.alicialeeke.com.

Resident Artists Present New Works at Gallery At Nonnah's During Artista Vista 2009

Columbia's biggest art walk is being held this Thursday, April 24 from 5-9 p.m. in the Congaree Vista area and is an event you won't want to miss.

Approximately 14 businesses will open their doors to showcase hot new artwork by artists from across the state for this one night event. Of special interest this year is the S.C. Philharmonic which has partnered with Whit-Ash Rug Gallery and will be showcasing new painted violins during the event; and new works created by the resident artists at the Gallery at Nonnah's.

Nonnah's is a popular spot during Artista Vista because there are so many artists on-hand to discuss their work in person. Not only that, but Nonnah's serves a great late-night dinner menu which wouldn't be complete without their famous Bananas Foster.

The Gallery At Nonnah's will feature mixed media, watercolors, acrylics, photos, abstracts, landscapes and still life by artists Edie Biddel, Ingrid Carson, Jan Fleetwood, Bonnie Goldberg, Alicia Leeke, Betty Mandel, Marcia Murry and Michel McNinch. Works are on display throughout the year for viewing and works change constantly.

Nonnah's is located at 930 Gervais Street in the Vista in Columbia, South Carolina.

Artfocus: Tuscan Villa

THE STORY BEHIND THE TUSCAN VILLA PAINTING

My work is tremendously inspired by the French. If reincarnation exists, I was certainly French in a former life for my love of the countryside, buildings and food.

This painting, entitled Tuscan Villa, was created in April 2005 and is in my personal art collection; however, prints are available on my website at (www.alicialeeke.com). It was inspired by the Senanqu Abbey in Provence, France, but with my own personal twist.

Creative license played a major role in the creation of this painting. Up until 2008, I painted very little with grey as a major component in my compositions (I think to date only three so far and mostly as color field studies for landscapes). As a matter of fact, I find grey to be the drabbest color in the color spectrum and try to eliminate it from all paintings where possible (Until the painting of Stockholm and Five O’clock Shadows in 2009). In real life, this Abbey is very brown / grey with beautiful contrasting fields of lavender.

But due to my dislike of grey at that time, and my love of harvest gold, I turned this painting into a tropical paradise making the building a creamy gold with a red Spanish-style shingle roof and lush tropical lime-green trees and blue sky. While beautiful, the lavender fields were replaced with lush crops in varying shades of green dotted with hints of red, gold and a tinge of lavender.

This is truly a painting I painted for myself! I love the distorted lines and lack of perfection in perspective. In fact, I believe freedom to create without worry of judgment is what sets my Cityscape paintings apart from other artists.

The two abstract shapes in the foreground are actually people harvesting lavender. I liked the figures so much as they were unfinished; I decided not to clothe them.

In May 2008, I went on a Spiritual retreat in Star, North Carolina with Gary Spivey and met some incredibly interesting people. Later, I was commissioned by a fellow guest to paint a similar version of this piece. This commission is much larger than my 16 x 20 original at 30 x 40 in size, and after a few conversations, the painting is taking an additional direction and turning into a Montresorri School. The requestor asked for stained glass windows to be added signifying her love of children. Ironically, I don’t believe she knew the original piece was of an Abbey.

This is one of the few pieces in my body of work that I created about three open-edition, gallery-wrapped giclees. At this printing, I am not sure if I will do any additional open editions of any of my paintings because I personally prefer signed and numbered limited-editions.

Signed and numbered giclee prints of Tuscan Villa are available for $250 framed and matted, or $80 unframed. The current edition has 250 prints total with some still available as of this posting. The two open edition prints are available at investor prices and will be customized for the purchaser for provenance. For more information or to order your copy, email me at info@alicialeeke.com.

Image copyrighted by the artist. All rights reserved.