Hi. My name is Frank Jay Leonard, son of Gloria and Frank A Leonard, both now gone. My sister Nancy and I grew up in Santa Cruz, on the West Side, on Woodrow Avenue, about three blocks from West Cliff Drive and the sea. I loved it at the ocean, playing with my dog Tippy and taking photographs until they rolled out my ears.
I experienced darkroom photography for the first time 54 years ago, at the age of 12. A friend invited me to witness an image come up magically on a piece of paper that had been dropped into a light brown colored liquid. I was changed forever. Living as close to the ocean as I did, I quickly fell in love with seascapes and landscapes and black and white, darkroom photography.
My life has taken many paths since that experience at 12 years old. I left home at 18 to study for the ministry. I married and helped raise two beautiful young men. I left the church and my marriage. I retired from public education in 2008, having taught and counseled elementary and middle school children for 22 years in San Francisco. I am now living a new life in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with my beloved Joyce, 4 cats, and a dog. And in all of this, there was and is the backdrop of photography. In all of this, I have been a photographer since that day 54 years ago.
In my retirement from public education, photography is providing an outlet for my passion and my excitement. I love to express myself in images, and to share some of the ways in which I see the world. I welcome you to this site. I hope you enjoy my images. I hope once in a while you will purchase a favorite for a wall in your home. It would be an honor and a privilege to provide something that enriches your life and your home.
My plans include having a once a month show at my new gallery, featuring guest artists, live music, wine and cheese.
The November Show – GRAND OPENING of my new gallery – Friday, November 9th, 2012 – 6 to 9pm. CLICK HERE to view the promotional postcard, and for a map and details.
The December Show – “ABUNDANT SUCCULENTS” – Saturday, December 8th, 2012 – 1 to 5pm. CLICK HERE to view the promotional postcard, and for a map and details.
I am grateful to be alive and to be able to do my photography. I am grateful to have a partner who embraces my work and encourages me, sons who I am so proud of, and friends I am making in this new community who are already blessings in Joyce’s and my life.
Again,
Thanks for visiting! Hope to see you November 9th or December 8th, or both . . :o)
Frank.