Logo: The Urban Influencer

Leroy Campbell Opens New Art Studio In Atlanta, Talks About His Craft

Image: Leroy Campbell Opens New Art Studio In Atlanta, Talks About His Craft

Share This On:

A southern man with a city spirit, Leroy Campbell is a master gardener, painter, storyteller, and lover of souls, Campbell paints a beautiful hope for humanity through his art and through his words. Clients include Carmelo Anthony, Samuel Jackson, Terry McMillian, and Tom Joyner, just to name a few. In telling the stories he knows best, he is offering the wisdom and lessons of the elders as a gift to us all. As part of the human experience, we are all searching for our place in the garden, our purpose, our connection, our significance in this world. Those stories are the most powerful gifts in the universe as they provide a sense of self and a foundation of wisdom based on patience, love, and discernment. Campbell's vision is of a healthy garden, where each is whole, liberated and validated, where people are free to love who they are and in turn nurture others around them.

Campbell's paintings, infused with history, tie the past to the present in the practice of Sankofa, the understanding that you can't move forward until you receive the lessons of the past. The vulnerability of his art, his soul, his ability to tell a story through the use of acrylic, paper, tapestries, and organic materials, creates an opportunity for conversation, for something real, for the human connection that we are all desperately seeking.

On November 2, 2019, Leroy Campbell welcomed art enthusiasts into his art studio, namely Leroy Campbell Studios, located in Atlanta in the up and coming neighborhood called Airport City, for a customer appreciation brunch and studio opening. Starting his career as a contemporary artist in 1983, Campbell is best known for fusing art history and using nostalgic themes and collages of afro-centric periodicals in paintings, depicting African-American culture and relationships. "I want to break bread with my supporters," says Campbell. "I am so grateful to be alive to create, and I would like to show my appreciation by opening up my studio space to the public." The studio opened in November includes 25 new original works along with 15 limited edition reproductions.

Check out a few pieces from Campbell's portfolio and check out our Q&A with the art legend below:


Heavenly Touch, 2015 (Sold)



Nutritional Value, 2015 (Sold)

 

Historical Background, 2015 (Sold)

 

How did you get into visual art?

I want my people to survive and thrive. I believe that the our survival as a group depends on our unity, not uniformity.  No one is going to save us this time.  We are truly on our own. The day we deliberately commit to this truth is the day that we will experience the benefit of true and real emancipation. In my art this is the overall message and what drive me to paint. I know our unity can help lead this country to a healing force it so desperately need to save itself.

 

How/when did you know you wanted to take your art seriously as a career?

This happens when you only want to do art.  

 

How has your ethnicity and culture impacted your art?


I am a descendant of African culture. I grew up in an African community community in Charleston, South Carolina. There is no separation in African culture. African culture interconnects art, spirituality, community, education, religion, and family as one thought. I thrive on being cross connecting in that way.  The power I get from being inter generationally connected makes me whole and gives me a strong sense of belonging for which compelled me to paint and celebrate both my ethnicity and my culture in my art.

 

What inspires you to begin creating a piece? 

I am a Griot. I love to tell stories. To tell a great story you cannot be afraid to be valuable. Being valuable is where you find and capture the essence of a thing. Each piece I create tells a story.

 

How do you capture the essence you want to convey in your pieces?


I want the viewer to live in the experience convey in my art. The elements I use help to make the experience tangible and real. The texture, layers, and dimension help give my art a virtuous environment.
That is what transcends all time.


You use materials like acrylic, paper, tapestries, and other organic
materials to create your works. Why those materials and, say, not paint
or sculpting clay? 


To an artist, first, you must find out who you are. What are your values? What are your true convictions? That will make clear the path you should take in the world of art. Having a studio is a must. The environment in your head is more important than that.


Any advice for aspiring visual artists who want to monetize their
creativity and/or open an art studio? 


You have to decide if you only want to paint and let the galleries sell your work or do you want to be the person to do both.  Either way they both require research about the business of art.  When you absolutely sure about which path you want to take is when you clearly learn how to monetize your art. Research, research, and more research. There are lots of mentors out there for when you are ready.

 

www.leroycampbelloriginals.com

IG: leroycampbellart