Artist Statement / Biography

Pablo de Leon spent his entire career with the City of Chicago as a graphic designer, and the latter part of that as Commissioner of Graphics under Mayor Richard Daley. He started out as an intern, while obtaining his BFA from the Chicago Academy of Art. He has since retired to pursue his passion for plein air painting, after discovering the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the Tucson area. He is an artist member of the Chicago Plein Air Painters, The Palette and Chisel Academy of Chicago, and the Tucson Plein Air Painters Society. Pablo has been commissioned for numerous paintings of Chicago landmarks, designed awards in many mediums, and created pieces of art for major fund raising organizations. He has studied under noted artists David Leffel of Taos, NM, Kurt Anderson, Tucson, AZ, Scott Tallman, Chicago, Il, and Diane Rath, Chicago, IL. Pablo’s mix of a Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage has fostered an artistic personality of gentle manner with strong under currents of emotional energy that are reflected in his art.             

My first recollection of my love of art and the visual impact of the world was in the second grade. I was always chosen by the teacher to paint the holiday scenes on the windows that faced the inner city of Chicago. At that time I didn’t comprehend the expressions of envy on the faces of the other children, nor did I realize what a wonderful gift I had and how art would shape my future. All I knew was that I loved to draw and paint. It is wonderful to discover once again what I want to do with the rest of my life, and I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I love most in life, to learn, to paint, and to experience the heart-felt joy that it brings.