Leroy Burt | Artist Profile Photo
Leroy Burt
Rochester, Minnesota
Artist Leroy Burt paints playful, offbeat landscapes and portraits based on his experiences living in Milwaukee, New York, Costa Rica, and currently Rochester, Minnesota. "I think of my paintings as short stories," he says. As a young child, Leroy faced a number of obstacles. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents in a three-room shack without running water or electricity. Leroy worked hard to pull himself out of poverty. He studied graphic design and painting, which led to a 30-year career in graphic design - five years at WMVS, the PBS television station in Milwaukee, fifteen years at city hall in Milwaukee, and ten years at WNET, the PBS station in New York. In 2015, Leroy retired to focus his energy on painting. Today, he works from a tiny studio filled with half-finished paintings stacked against every wall. "There are photos and sketches for future paintings taped everywhere," says Leroy. "My windows are filled with orchids. There are books, films and music CDs in every corner. And the room is dominated by a black and silver Andy Warhol silkscreen print of Marilyn Monroe."
Studio Photo 1 Studio Photo 2 Studio Photo 3

Artist Statement

As an artist, I've been inspired by the colorful works of David Hockney and the captivating scenes of Edward Hopper. Celebrating diversity is central to my art, as I deeply value minorities. I believe my strongest skill lies in my use of color, which speaks directly to emotions, transcending words. For me, a successful painting is one that evokes a feeling in the viewer.

Throughout my journey, I've been fortunate to have many mentors and artist friends, including Taylor Mead, Quentin Crisp, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Farley Granger, and Greta Garbo.

I primarily work from digital photographs, refining my ideas in Photoshop before transferring them to canvases. Years of photography have provided me with a rich archive of inspiration, from bustling city scenes to serene landscapes.

Ultimately, I hope my paintings speak to viewers in their own way. Each canvas is like a short story, carrying its own unique message waiting to be discovered by those who gaze upon it.

Artist Background

Layton School of Art
Associate of Arts, 1975
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