About the Artist

“My work wanders somewhere between realism and hyperrealism, meandering on occasion into surrealism, abstract, and whimsical works. My desire is to portray things exactly as they are, with an intense attention to detail. I pride myself on my ability to capture the soul of each animal by focusing in closely on the subject, eliminating the distraction of background elements.”

Education: Self-taught, self-representing artist, illustrator, photographer, graphic and blog designer

The Fun List : 100 Things About Leanne (located on my blog)

Memberships & Affiliations:

Associate Designer - E.Webscapes (Blog & Web Design Studio)
Juried Member, MidCoast Fine Arts (www.midcoast.org)

Member, League of Animal Artists (www.animalartists.org)
Member, WetCanvas (www.wetcanvas.com)
Listed : World Artist Directory (www.worldartistdirectory.com)

Awards & Exhibitions:
March-April, 2007
MidCoast at the River Center, 24 oil paintings on exhibit (view details on my blog)

August, 2006
First Place, Putnam Museum Celebration of Birds Exhibit, Peacock.
People’s Choice Honorable Mention, Putnam Museum Celebration of Birds Exhibit, Peacock.

Featured Photo of the Week, Aug. 30, 2006 WeAreQuadCities (QC Sunset Photo)

September, 2003
People’s Mention: EBSQ General Theme Show::Pet Portrait Swap

January, 2003
Juror’s Mention: EBSQ+ Juried Theme Show: 21st Century Still Life

Articles:

August, 2005
Catch-A-Catfish Feature Spotlight
The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus

October, 2003
Featured Artist: EBSQ
Amie Gillingham, Editor
www.ebsqart.com

September, 2003
Frogs-A-Hoppin - Q-C Area Front Page Editorial: “Frogs hop to new homes in auction” by Stephen Elliot
The Dispatch

September, 2003
Frogs-A-Hoppin’: EBSQ Zine Article
Amie Gillingham, Editor

June, 2003
Frogs-A-Hoppin’ Front Page Editorial: “Frogs leap into limelight” by Amy Thon
The Dispatch

June, 2003
Frogs-A-Hoppin’ Interview: WQAD-TV, Quad Cities Life & Times

Biography (Formal): September 2003

Leanne Wildermuth arrived in the art community over the summer of 2002, after nearly 15 years of creative efforts based solely in commissioned works. Following several years in both the computer field and business administration, Leanne began full time efforts through marketing custom portraits.

Leanne’s biggest creative influence is her mother, who painted in her spare time for over 30 years. Leanne has long had a strong affinity for the arts, music, and technology. The artist is currently focusing on her series of Pet Portraits and Wildlife: Up Close & Personal; using both India inks on canvas and oil pastels. Leanne also designs and builds functional websites and website graphics for fellow artists. In her spare time, Leanne’s musical inclinations lead her to continue practicing both piano and viola.

Works in progress include custom commissioned pet portraits in addition to varied endangered, domestic and backyard wildlife. Many of these subjects are chosen seemingly at random but each piece strikes a chord with Leanne on a personal level, where portraying their innocence and depth is more a calling than a selection process. The artists’ unique style in bringing emotion and a sense of pride to our endangered species is her personal attempt to glorify them and bring attention to their plight before they are lost altogether.

Work is begun after time has been spent researching the animal(s), taking reference photos to study anatomy, and sketching the subject. All work is done in the studio.

Selected pieces are marketed in printed reproductions.