2024 Small Works Show artist Leon Loughridge
Born: Denver, Colorado 1952
Colorado Institute of Art 1971-1972
United States Army, Graphic Designer 1972-1975
Having grown up on a Northern New Mexico ranch, Leon’s connection to the Southwest landscape came naturally. His grandmother’s involvement in Northern New Mexico art circles exposed him to the arts from an early age. Later study at the Colorado Institute of Art along with private study reinforced his abilities. While in the army, stationed in Germany as an illustrator, he was able to travel extensively throughout Europe. On his return to Colorado, Leon began to study the intaglio techniques and began selling the prints in mountain galleries. In 1998, Leon purchased his first letterpress and received immediate success with the woodblock prints he produced. In 2005, he started printing using the Japanese method of printmaking. The versatile layering of color in the woodblock process allowed him to better capture the atmospheric qualities of the Southwestern landscape that has such a strong meaning for him.