Description
Leroy Allen – Winds of Change, 2003 is in the following COLLECTIONS:
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Library of Congress →WINDS OF CHANGE
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Midwestern State University
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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
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Nelson Atkins Museum of Art →2.2024.2 [NO LINK YET]
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“I love to paint and draw. It allows me to share with any number of people my God given gift. My favorite subject is the complexity of our human existence, our intersection with nature, our movement, our expressiveness, our determination, our attitudes and our beauty. I don’t necessarily look for all of those elements when I paint, but I am aware of their presence. When a work of mine is publicly successful, I believe it is because I was able to put the viewer in touch with his or her awareness of my subject . . .”
– Leroy Allen –
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Resources:
Leroy Allen: Capturing the Essence of African American Life in Kansas
Leroy Allen (1951-2007), an award-winning watercolorist and figurative artist, remains an iconic figure in the annals of Kansas art history. His realistic style, which focused on African American life and community, garnered him more than 30 art awards nationally, cementing his reputation as a master of his craft.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Leroy Allen’s artistic journey began at a young age, earning his first art prize in the second grade for a crayon drawing of a horse show called “At the American Royal.” His talent and passion for art blossomed throughout high school, where he was hired by the Progressive Shopper News to draw a weekly cartoon column, aimed at discouraging young people from a life of crime through the misadventures of a character named Sly.
After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War and being honorably discharged in 1972, Allen pursued his artistic education at the University of Kansas School of Fine Art, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1977. His career took a significant turn in 1980 when he was hired by Hallmark Cards, where he eventually became a technical supervisor, collaborating with and exhibiting alongside noted Hallmark artists for over two decades.
Allen’s artistic prowess was particularly evident in his mastery of watercolor, a medium often underestimated for its difficulty. His ability to create vibrant, lifelike paintings with a seemingly effortless touch earned him accolades and admiration from critics and peers alike. As New Orleans art critic Doug MacCash noted, Allen possessed the rare talent to render paintings with such economy and deftness that the hand of the artist was almost unnoticeable, akin to walking across a snowy field without leaving footprints.
Throughout his career, Leroy Allen remained deeply connected to his roots in Kansas, drawing inspiration from the vibrant African American community that shaped his identity and artistic vision. His paintings captured the essence of everyday life in Kansas, from the bustling streets of Kansas City to the serene landscapes of the countryside, infused with a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and cultural pride.
Leroy Allen died by suicide in March 2007, leaving behind a legacy of artistic brilliance and cultural significance. He may have left this world, but his artistic legacy will endure for generations to come, a timeless tribute to the power of creativity and the enduring spirit of Kansas.
Author: The Lawrence Lithography Workshop
Date: February 15, 2024
Title: Leroy Allen: Capturing the Essence of African American Life in Kansas
URL: http://lawrencelitho.com/product/leroy-allen-winds-of-change-2003/