During lockdown – ironically when live models were scarce – I became fascinated with portraits and took up oil painting. Much of my work from the 2020’s -shown in Selected Artworks – are paintings of my partner and I playing with costumes and exaggerated expressions to buoy our spirits.
Incidentally, if you are a grown-up who likes playing dress-up, consider commissioning a portrait. We will have a blast working together. Contact me at:
cosmognome @ gmail.com
Some of my small still lifes and landscapes are available at McPherson Local, a charming general store in Saline, MI. It’s definitely worth a stop. I also sell stickers there based on my early paintings under the brand name DailyNightmare.
My Instagram @JimLeachArt shows what I’m working on, good, bad and ugly.
I first started painting in 2016 after a heart attack reminded me each day above ground is precious. My early works are largely skulls and insects, depicted in bright acrylics because I believe we should make friends of our fears and celebrate our nightmares as well as our dreams. The best Carpe Diem is a Memento Mori.
My work has also appeared in curated gallery shows including:
“Lilith” (9” x 12” acrylic on canvas board) appeared in the 12th annual Damned Show, October 24/25/26 2019 at the Tangent Gallery, Detroit. (Sold)
“Grin 1” (of the series of four tiny skull paintings shown at the right) appeared in Small Wonders, 2019
Small Wonders 2020 – In order to lift spirits during Lockdown, this entirely virtual show required artworks be painted on single sheets of toilet paper. I took up the challenge and did one better by depicting several commedia d’ellarte masks.
