Leonard Mizerek

Leonard Mizerek Fellow, ASMA, 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.

Leonard’s work is currently in a five museum show of Contemporary Marine Art. In 2007, he was awarded Artist in Residence at the Museum Yvonne Jean-Haffen in Dinan, France. Those paintings were exhibited in France and one was made part of the museum collection. He was one of 15 artists selected to paint at the Forbes Colorado Ranch; and exhibited at the Forbes Museum in New York and made part of the permanent collection. He was featured on the cover of American Artist Magazine and in the Oct.07 and May 08 issues of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. 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 Cape Museum of Fine Art.

Known for his colorful, luminous seascapes and expressive brushwork, Leonard paints on site deriving inspiration from the many nearby coastal locations as well as harbors throughout the world. A central theme throughout Leonard’s work is his use of light. In Mizerek’s words, “ 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 marine 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 26, in The American Society of Marine Artists. He is also a member of the New England Plein Air Painters.

Past exhibitions have included: Over 25 Featured Artist and One Man Shows. The American Society of Marine Artists Exhibitions at the Chase 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 and Modern Marine Masters Exhibitions since 1988. Two exhibitions at the National Academy of Design in New York, Operation Sail, Boston, The International Society of Marine Painters. He graduated with a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and studied at The New York Art Students League with, Nelson Shanks and at the National Academy of Design with 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. He was awarded the 2006 Merit Award at the Coos Art Museum in the state of Washington.

Leonard was 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 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 the book, Splash 3, as well as Gallery of Marine Art, Rockport Publishers & Bound for Blue Water by Greenwich Workshop Press.