Leonard Mizerek

Leonard Mizerek was born in Philadelphia, and nurtured his artistic love of nature while growing up in the Brandywine Valley. As a young boy, he often went painting along the Brandywine River, deriving inspiration from the countryside of nearby Pennsylvania. His early influence was with the Brandywine School.

Known for his colorful seascapes, Leonard paints on site from nearby coastal locations as well as harbors throughout the world. Leonard was one of the 15 artists selected to paint at the Forbes Ranch in Colorado; subsequently his work was exhibited in the Forbes Museum in New York and made part of the Forbes permanent collection. He was featured on the August 2001 cover of American Artist Magazine. Recently, he was invited as one of 23 nationally recognized contemporary marine artists to exhibit in a special three museum exhibition, which toured New England to the Newport Art Museum, the Maine Maritime Museum and Connecticut River Museum. In addition, he exhibited in the Coos Bay Museum of Fine Art and the Cape Museum of Fine Art.

“Bringing light into my work has been my current focus. I enjoy looking for the hidden colors in natural light. Light alters the color of all objects and touches those nearby. It sets a mood and evokes emotion, which I strive to portray in my work. I often explore various methods to interpret the way I view nature. I prefer maritime subjects because I enjoy the way water reflects the objects floating as well as the sky and time of day. It mirrors shapes and intensifies light. I paint outdoors to capture the light first hand and bring out all its color and luminosity.”

Leonard is one of 70 elected members of the prestigious Guild of Boston Artists. He was awarded Fellowship, the highest honor as one of only 22, in The American Society of Marine Artists. Recently, Leonard was elected to the New England Plein Air Painters.

Past exhibitions have included: Several Featured Artist and One Man Shows. The American Society of Marine Artists Exhibitions at the FirstUSA Riverfront Arts Center, Wilmington, DE, the Delaware Art Museum, The Frye Museum of Art, Seattle, WA, The Mariner’s Museum, Norfolk, VA, The Cummer Museum, Jacksonville, FL, San Diego Maritime Museum, The Mystic Seaport Museum. He has exhibited in the Annual Mystic International since 1988 and the Annual Modern Marine Masters Exhibitions since 1995 at Mystic Seaport. Two exhibitions at the National Academy of Design in New York, The Rocky Mountain Exhibition, Operation Sail, Boston, First Place in the Sea Heritage Marine Exhibition, The International Society of Marine Painters and numerous national exhibitions. He graduated with a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and studied at The New York Art Students League under nationally known artist, Nelson Shanks. He also studied at the National Academy of Design under internationally known artist, Raymond Kinstler. Leonard is an Officer and Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists. He is also Signature Artist Member of the New England Watercolor Society, and the International Society of Marine Painters.

Leonard was one of the artists selected for Painting Ships, Shores, & the Sea, a book showcasing America’s top marine artists by North Light Books. He was chosen as a finalist in The Artist Magazine’s Competition ‘95, ‘97 and 2001. He is also featured in the book, Splash 3, as well as Gallery of Marine Art, Rockport Publishers. He was recently included in magazine articles in Maine Boats & Harbors, Sea History, Marine Art Quarterly, American Artist Magazine and Watercolor Magazine. Len is also featured in Bound for Blue Water by Greenwich Workshop Press.