An amazing, self-taught artist who's works I have admired constantly since discovering them a while back, is Leon Alegria . I am constantly amazed at the vivaciousness of colours, the intertwining shapes, the sense of design and composition, along with the added 3D effects that are so common to his work.

I sent him some questions to consider, and here is a short biography with some enlightenment as to his artistic career.

Short Biography

When I was 13 years old, I saw a Hieronymus Bosch book. Everything started there.

Then, I began to study and copy the classics like Boticelli, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rubens, Tiziano, Goya, Velasquez, Rembrandt, etc. I admire and was influenced, too, by Gauguin, Tolousse Lautrec, Ingres, Gericault, Delacroix and especially by the Preraphaelites. When my art became more abstract or surreal, I studied Kandinsky, Matisse, Miro, Dali, De Cririco, Picasso, and especially Magritte.

I admire all these geniuses. The list would have no end, but my favourite artist and master is Gustav Klimt.

Even though I love irregular abstract shapes and bright colours, I almost always end drawing a human figure. Lately my figures are a bit surreal or abstract, but I've done hundreds in a classic way with deep shadows, etc. I've also done a plethora of portraits.

I've used almost everything that is used to make art....all kind of pencils, watercolours, pastels, acrylics, and oils. I love to begin a drawing on a dirty paper or canvas and sometimes I work on collages. I used to work, too, on etchings and serigraph, but the new plotters killed my interest for those beautiful techniques. Now I make canvas prints and retouch them with acrylics...it is somehow like a mixed media, and many times I like the results more than the originals. For the future, I am entertaining the idea of doing more work with sculptures.

So far as inspiration is concerned, I don't think you always know where this comes from...it is in your subconscious. I can be inspired by a colourful butterfly, an expressive face, a beautiful landscape, or a curvaceous lady. Other artists obtain their inspiration from their pain or other experiences.

It is difficult for me to specifically choose any particular pieces from my gallery that I like best... You are never satisfied, or you like something from this one or that detail from another one. However, if I had to choose, I would select the following:-

Melting Woman. Even though this picture was not a very good drawing, anatomically speaking, I enjoyed when painting it... it took a whole month.

Psyche, because I feel it is a bit mysterious

Mental Slave is something I secretly feel a little proud of, as (influenced by all this digital stuff), I was able to make my own one... with my brushes!

As much I love the new technology, my knowledge about computers is poor. I use my old version of Corel PhotoPaint to work my .jpg files for the Internet.

Finally, a little advice to aspiring artists... I think it would be helpful for them to study the works and techniques of the greats, as well as the lesser-known artists. Also, like anything one is trying to learn to do, practice...practice...practice...and be patient.

Here is a selection from Leon's Gallery

*AnnaKirsten's All-time Favourite!