ARTIST STATEMENT
I paint HORIZONS,

I grew up as gay kid in Iowa in the 1970’s. I recall the endless expanses of land & sky from the back seat of my parents Lincoln on long country drives to my grandparents river-valley farm. This memory is deeply rooted in my love for long horizons and my fantasy of the “other” place I imagined, out there, that would be more welcoming. While I have many wonderful memories from my childhood, I was always looking for an exit. Before I clearly understood the whispers of the narrow minded, I felt the hurt of bullies. In a small town, with no more place left to hide, the better world for me lay somewhere out on the horizon. I wanted to be free. Free from judgment of something I could not help be. I left, followed the horizon, and my life blossomed.

I am a painter of abstract land & seascapes. My present work pivots on one central theme…the powerful geometry of long & linear horizons rooted in my childhood. For me, horizons equal possibility and a promise of new beginnings…a view & path to a better place…a dividing line between the present (chaotic) and the future (hopeful). While humanity revolves & evolves around us, the horizon is a constant that we can count on. Through multiple narratives of both land and sea, including my fond memories of the Midwest as well as my collective time living on both coasts, my work is intended to visually and emotionally take the viewer to a restful place where their eyes can wander within the deep expanse of each painting and wonder what lays on the horizon for them. The paintings should evoke, and the viewer should feel, that the nature captured in the land & seascapes is equally fragile and resilient, yet inviting…perhaps, even heavenly. I like to think of each work as a catalyst to promote a viewer’s journey, one where they can look off into the distance, encouraged by their anticipation of a better tomorrow through my use color, texture and perspective, capturing moody, allusive and imaginative interpretations of earth, sky and water. I want every viewer to see my hand-painted horizons as a place of self-discovery and encouragement to move forward with an openness to the unknown.

My goal as an artist is to get folks out of their heads and onto the canvas by providing work and concepts that feel beautiful, relatable and inclusive as well as promote introspection and positivity. I’ve always felt that sharing & showing art is a type of kindness. If one allows themselves to step into my work and rest their eyes on one of my imagined horizons, I am hopeful they can take a transcendent journey through the landscape…somewhere peaceful and happy…a journey yet to be completed, but one that will ultimately lead to their own personal freedom.
Robert Frost wrote…

‘For, who can look “out far” or “in deep” to the endless mystery of human life and death, and not wonder wherever the truth may be on the horizon? Whether “on the land” of our ordinary perspectives or “on the sea” of our more unusual views and speculations, we are both limited by our capacities and distinctly suited by our longings and aspirations.’

In my journey, from Iowa to New York, ultimately landing in California, I continue to visit my childhood self… a restless, curious and creative boy…eyes wide open…a pathfinder of new beginnings. On the horizon, there will always be a version of myself blossoming. I hope you will join me there through this work I share with you today.

-Jon Leafstedt (aka LEAF)

LOCATION:
Sonoma, CA