Leonard’s signature compositions are deeply cinematic, drawing on the rich history and atmosphere of film. His paintings transport the viewer into an opulent world full of narrative intrigue, where multifaceted characters invite you to learn their stories. His style incorporates expressive runs and drips with figurative and landscape painting traditions, resulting in works that are both timeless and emotionally charged.
Leonard’s approach to painting is deeply rooted in the American and European artistic traditions, drawing particularly on the work of his heroes such as John Singer Sargent, Thomas Hart Benton, Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, and Egon Schiele. His paintings often depict characters in transitional moments, leaving plenty up to the viewer’s imagination to interpret. He is particularly interested in the motivations and circumstances that drive a characters’ actions, rather than simply