Featured Artist March - May 2002

Featured GiveAway by Fraser Leonard Picnic at the Playground 18" x 24" - 2002 Acrylic, gold and silver leaf collage on canvas Valued at $ 1200

Bonnie Hall Crown Point, IN

He began his art career at the tender age of five and remembers having a talent to copy ideas directly from pictures. Art classes were unavailable in the lower grades and he saved his money as a teenager to take the course "Famous Artist" which was founded by Norman Rockwell. He spent his high school years in the attic at home teaching himself lesson by lesson. His first competition at age 12 was successful and won him first prize for painting a poster of Uncle Sam holding a poppy.

In 1961, he headed to the University of the Ozarks in Arkansas and found he was torn between commercial and fine art . He found that fine art finally ruled and received a Bachelor of Fine Art and followed with graduate work at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Fraser also worked toward a masters at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. He spent forty years learning how to be an artist and refining his work.

His inspiration comes from the environment which sends a strong message each day. "Light and what it does to surroundings has an effect of how and what one sees and interprets." His reactions to events and their meaning express their importance on three dimensional surfaces. Sometimes, a simple sound will remind him of an experience or a glimpse of something or someone will then show up in his work. After creating 5000 works of art, confidence is a major backbone to his expression.

Temptations of the Heart Acrylic, Wood, Metal Leaf and Mixed Media 35 1/2" x 30 1/2", 2001 $3000

Whether morning, noon or night, the creative process just comes forth. His inspiration comes forth whether he's relaxed or excited, has good light or even just a calm atmosphere.

Art is a full-time profession and has been his avocation since his early retirement from teaching. "Having time to store up creative juices is important so that one is powered-up to challenge the unknown during a creative process."

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Carnival Caravan Acrylic and Mixed Media 30" x 40", 2001 $3500.00

His collectors feel excitement and become spiritual with his work. It also evokes peace, newness, freshness, clean and powerful emotions. Fraser's work is meant to inspire rather than have a passive effect. To inspire pleases him and he want's others to derive some happiness and inspiration from his work.

His Welded Wall Reliefs tend to mesmerize with all the reflections of light bouncing from the canvas to attract the eye.

Camouflage Mixed Media, copper enamel, wood, acrylic and brass 34" x 35", 2001 $4500.00

Having grown up with sports, he enjoys football, baseball, and field and track. He thoroughly enjoys seeing young people get ahead and achieve their goals. He prefers to avoid loud noises, snobs and brash individuals and is troubled by the misuse of our lands and what we will leave for future generations. He has a great love for the out-of-doors, lakes, country and family. He respects the love of his wife and all that she is, love of friends and how important they are in ones life cycle are the things that make life grand. "But most of all, I love my Lord and look forward to learn more from Him each day."

His hobbies include fishing since it is like the unknown. "You can only guess what's coming up to the surface; it is like each stroke on the canvas -- you wonder what is going to happen, that's the fun of it." He also enjoys traveling to see all that you can see.

Petals of Metal Mixed Media, copper enamel, wood, and steel 38" x 32", 1999 $2800.00