Kippi Leonard’s vibrant aqueous surfaces are the results pouring inks that have been custom mixed onto canvas, panel and linen. The pouring process is her way of largely abandoning compositional control and remaining open to spontaneous occurrences with her work. Through color, luminosity and light reflection, her work provokes calm and simultaneously, deep introspection. Inversely, her mixed media work is structural and largely black and white with expressive mark making and an occasional allusion of color. Both methods of creating reflect her veracious essence. Kippi looks to the work of Helen Frankenthaler and Paul Jenkins for their looseness with pouring paint and use of color to form complex layers that while poured, reflect intention. She also responds to the structure and sensitivity found in the work of Francoise Gilot and Lee Krasner. After an extensive career in interior design Kippi continues the exploration of materials through her experimental and abstract work in oil, encaustic, collage and watercolor. A Pacific Northwest native, she now resides in Palm Desert California a place that nurtures her comprehensive approach to creating art.
Galleries: Michael Birawer Gallery – Pioneer Square Seattle, WA; Seattle Art Source – Seattle, WA; Flow Modern – Palm Springs, CA
Exhibits | Awards Mission Federal Art Walk – San Diego, Ca 2019; Indian Wells Art Festival 2019 – Indian Wells, Ca 2nd Place Mixed Media-2D; West Elm Local – Seattle Wa; Bemis 2018 Spring Art Show – Seattle, Wa; Northwind Art Center 2018 Juried Art Show – Port Townsend, Wa; Kenmore Art Show Juried Artist 2018 – Kenmore, Wa; The Schack 21st Annual Juried Art Show 2018- Honorable Mention – Everett, Wa; Seattle City Hall August 2018 Fogue Gallery Group exhibit – Seattle, Wa