- Artist's medium: Painter
- Email the Artist: Click here
- Website address: http://www.leonardaitken.com
- Artist location: Coffs Harbour NSW
Leonard Aitken has been painting for about 30 years. His work is varied, and characterised by bright colours, strong technical abilities and a deep understanding of the power of light in a painting.
Achievements
- Extempore (2010) An exhibition of quasi – surrealist works.
- Open Studio - Part of a three man surrealist show at Open Studio, Coffs Harbour. (December, 2009)
- 2008: Winner of the $5,000 Local Government Area Prize at the second EMSLA award for Still Life at Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery.
- Jetty Theatre Exhibition - An exhibition of mixed paintings held at the Jetty Theatre. (Feb. 2008)
- 2007: Finalist in the EMSLA award. Coffs Harbour
- Now and Then - An exhibition of paintings inspired by natural forms – in conjunction with Sandra Finn and friends. Liminal Space Gallery, Coffs Harbour (November, 2007)
- Natural Response - An exhibition of paintings interpreting various aspects of nature
- Bunker Cartoon Gallery (April 2007)
- Botanicals – An exhibition of paintings and animation based on images and ideas inspired by the Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens
Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens (Exhibition room) (December 2006) - 2004:Finalist – Country Energy.
- 2004: Sawtell art Show. 1st prize open section
- 2004: Sawtell art Show. 1st prize in oil/acrylic section
- 2004: Winner of the More Property prize at Salute to the Arts (Coffs Harbour)
- Living Light - An exhibition of paintings exploring the various qualities of light in nature and other subjects 101 Bellingen (July 2004)
- 2002: First prize in animation section in “Open Slather Film Festival”
- 2000: Deniliquin Community/Business Awards. Art/Culture Award.
- 1999: Deniliquin Art Exhibition: 1st prize in Sculpture section.
- 1995: Wagga Wagga Quota Art Competition. Oils section
- 1995: Wagga Wagga Quota Art Competition. Encouragement Award
- 1994: H.R. Gallop Perpetual Award for best overall result in first year visual arts (Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga)
- 1993: Oil prize at Deniliquin Art Exhibition.
- Plus various other solo and group exhibitions.
Philosophy
“I paint because I must. I ‘m effervescent and lively and can’t cope with just doing one thing all the time. I need constantly to experiment, use different mediums and explore different genres.” Usually he has about 20 paintings “in progress” at once, while simultaneously working on various musical, writing and animation projects. His paintings are usually built up in many layers of stains and glazes.
