Leonard Aitken has been painting for 30 years. He prefers to paint realistic and surrealistic works. The natural world around him is his first inspiration, but most of his work is transformed by a prodigious imagination. His paintings are usually built up in many layers of stains and glazes. Oil on canvas is his main medium.

Botanical Paintings:

“My botanical paintings are quite intimate. I love insects, the details of leaves, little droplets of water and the peaceful solitude of a small nook in a garden. Light plays an important role in these works. All life comes from light. I especially love backlighting which shows up, the veins in leaves, the shadows of insects and other leaves or flowers showing through the main motif, or the general shapes and tones of the less important background features. The often soft-focus background suggests their is more in this scene than just the main motif. These works are a microcosm of the bountiful world within which we live.They are painted carefully and lovingly. They have the ability to absorb the light with which they are illuminated."

Leonard completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (with distinction) at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga in 1995. He loves teaching art to all ages and enjoys creating in any medium - drawing, animatiing, composing music, writing stories.

You can view more art by Leonard at his website at: www.leonardaitken.com