A Minute With Leonard Baby
Hi! This is a newsletter about artists I like.
I began acquiring art through some friends that worked in galleries. I started small, working on a limited budget, for stuff I could afford. As time passed, my collection grew, and it was exciting to watch many of the artists I'd collected go on to bigger shows and critical acclaim.
My goal with this newsletter is to make a digestible resource for anyone interested in artists that are making great (and still affordable!) work, whom you haven't heard about... yet.
I came across Leonard’s work through Instagram, liked it, and hounded him to come on. So here we are….
Can you describe your style of painting and perhaps any influences to your practice ?
LB: I would describe my style of painting as urgent. Most of my subject matter is appropriated from mid-century European films I watch in my free time. Although, I recently painted a still from Princess Diaries, so inspiration comes from anywhere. I’ll see a frame that’s composed so beautifully it just demands to be painted. It’s like an itch I have to scratch. I can’t really relax until I’ve painted it.
Any plans for a show in the near future ?
LB: Not at the moment, no. I’ve got a few group shows lined up early next year, but my schedule has recently become pretty open which feels nice. It’s given me time to watch a lot more movies!
What are some resources you recommend to our readers to better educate themselves on contemporary art ?
LB: My favorite recourses to get educated on contemporary art are podcasts. I like listening to Talk Art with Russel Tovey and Robert Diament. I also love Sound & Vision with Brian Alfred, and The Conversation with Michael Shaw
Instagram is also an invaluable resource. Once you seek it out, the algorithm will start recommending artists, collectors, curators and galleries to follow. The contemporary art landscape on Instagram is very rich right now.
Who are some artists that we should have our eyes on ?
LB: There are so many!
Emily Pettigrew, Stephen Buscemi, Holden Willard, Lucia Hierro, Amy Tidwell, Caroline Zurmely, Aisling Hamrogue, Tara Ohanian
Who should we have on next ?
LB: Bernie Kaminski. His debut is up at Turn Gallery right now and it’s a must see.
I love that you make it easy for people to buy work from you, are there any recent favorites of yours that you can share, that are available to buy ?
LB: Thank you for saying so. Funnily, my favorites are the ones that don’t sell right away, and the ones I swear won’t do well get sold immediately.
***Please DM Leonard about purchasing works - Leonard’s IG
We like a good studio shot, have any images you can share?
Linkage Report:
Alex Katz is on Instagram. Follow HERE.
Eames x Hay just collaborated, looks good.
Mary Heilmann designed a T Shirt for Karma, all proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.
Show of the Week: Karen Barbour @ White Columns .
Thanks for the podcasts recommends. I didn’t know sound and vision so will check it out!