Author Archives: Leo

Back From the Framer…

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I take several works to the framer and they seem nearly complete; however, when I get them back from Robert Reitz — in beautifully built shadow boxes — they are finished.

I consider us to be a team. Robert has been finishing my work for ten years.
Our discussions of the proper material usually has me agreeing with his ideas.

Robert says the frame should be appropriate, not obvious, and appear to be part of the complete presentation.

Robert won’t be rushed. He works for perfection, and he works for many of the artists in the mountains of North Carolina. I don’t bug him, he calls when the work can be picked up. Here are four that I recently added to my studio gallery.

Kitchen

Kitchen

Hot Kitchen

Hot Kitchen

Bush Bound

Bush Bound

Left in the Weeds -- SOLD!

Left in the Weeds — SOLD!

Where are the frames? Unfortunately, the framed pieces don’t photograph well because of reflection from the glass. So I guess you’ll just have to come by the studio to see our completed works. Remember the Weaverville Art Safari is Sat. & Sun., May 7th and 8th, and I’ll be open Fri., the 6th.

A writer with a great editor, a dancer with a superior choreographer, a musician with an outstanding conductor, and I, a paper sculptor with Robert Reitz, an extraordinary framer. Couldn’t do without him.

Thanks for visiting with me…

leo

Gallery update: I still have work that is selling at the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, NC. The big news is that I will now be exhibiting at the NC Arboretum this July through September.

What’s Next?

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I’ve been offered a show at the Asheville Arboretum, where I have previously shown successfully. They plan their shows two years in advance so my show will, “hopefully”, be in summer 2018.

“Hopefully” is the word; I will be 85 years old.

I have made a list of over 30 subjects for still life paper sculptures such as: kitchens, flowers, decoys, art stuff, etc. etc. etc.

I want to complete another series or two during this fabled two years. I know what I want to do, and I’m fast because of 50 years as an illustrator in my technique, always on deadline. However, that’s a lot of work, but what the hell, I’ll work as if I actually have those productive two years in my future.

I want to complete at least ten paper fishing flies.

Last Cast

Last Cast

My tattoo series still interests me, so I’ll try to tattoo some subjects that get drunk and tattooed.

Samurai Crab

Samurai Crab

I’ve written several children’s books that never got finished. One of them is about cats from different cultures as carousel animals, written in Limericks. I can’t imagine finishing, but I’ll think about it.

Samurai Carousel Cat

Samurai Carousel Cat


This carousel cat is so Japanese
Samurai kimono catches a breeze
Mount Fuji and tea
Rising sun on the sea
Haiku blossoms on Cherry trees

I just turned 83, just another birthday. Most of my friends have gone somewhere, or are gone for good, so I’m not sure who my audience is anymore. Someone is going to have to get rid of a lot of paper in shadow box frames in the future.

The Samurai Crab can be viewed at the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, NC.

Happy New Year, onward and upward!

Thanks for visiting me.

leo