Leonard H. Dickey, Sr.
1936-2000

Just six years from his death from cancer, Leonard Dickey started his career as an artist. The artist was so prolific in those six years it is almost as if he was compelled to make art. His mantra while painting was “Don’t tell me the rules; if I know the rules I will have to follow them.” this from a retired Lieutenant Colonel in US Army, a man who served two tours in Vietnam.

Self taught, he began his career experimenting with digital artwork, from there he honed his skills in pastel and gouache. His work is characterized by a heavy application of intense, rich color depicting landscapes, florals and figures. Dickeys lush paintings won many awards, including first place in the prestigious 1999 New Orleans Art Association nineteenth nationally juried art exhibition.

While battling cancer Dickey’s later work explored themes of transition between life and the spiritual world. He worked right up to his death in 2000, the last of his work abstract, executed in acrylic on paper. Dickey’s work evokes strong visceral emotion through the use of bright, bold, rich color with elements of classic composition. He successfully captures the natural beauty of this work and the next, while conveying a sense of longing and desire. The collection of Leonard Dickey is powerful. Once this work is gone there will be no more.

AWARDS & HONORS
Dickey was a member of the Watercolor and Graphics Art Society of Mobile; Eastern Shore Art Center, Pleasure Island Art Association, Bay Rivers Art Guild, the Mobile Art Association, the Pensacola Art Association, the Alabama Watercolor Society and the Louisiana Watercolor Society. His accomplishments also include two published books of poetry.

• 1996- The Pleasure Island Art Association 1996 Juried Art Exhibit: "Best In Show"
• 1996- The Pleasure Island Art Association 1996 Juried Art Exhibit: "1st Place in Category"
• 1996- The Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach 1996 Autumn Flourishes Fine Arts Show: "The Sandra Hanson Merit Award"
• 1996- The Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach Art Center purchased one of his renditions for their permanent collection.
• 1997- PIAA Regional Art Exhibit: "The Patricia Wilson Award for Merit"
• 1997- PIAA Membership Juried Art Exhibit: "First Place"
• 1997-The Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach Annual Regional Juried Fine Arts Exhibit: "Winn Dixie Award"
• 1997- Watercolor and Graphics Art Society of Mobile Annual Membership Exhibit: "Members' Choice Award"
• 1997- Watercolor and Graphics Art Society of Mobile Annual Membership Exhibit: "Oleta Delaplaine Memorial Award"
• 1998- Watercolor and Graphics Art Society of Mobile Spring Exhibit: "Honorable Mention"
• 1998- Baton Rouge 1998 Bay Rivers Art Guild Show: "Mary Stewart Award"
• 1998- Pensacola Museum of Art Show: "Honorable Mention"
• 1999- New Orleans Association 19th National Juried Exhibition: "First Place"
• 1999- New Orleans Association 19th National Juried Exhibition: "Honorable Mention"
• 1999- Watercolor Society of Alabama 58th National Exhibition: "Airfloat System Award"
• 2000- The 2000 Louisiana Watercolor Society 30th Annual Juried Art Exhibit: "Honorable Mention"

MAJOR JURIED ART EXHIBITS

• The New Orleans Art Association National Juried Art Exhibition: 1997, 1999, 2000
• The University of Mobile "Art With a Southern Drawl" Regional Juried Exhibit: 1997, 1998
• The Madison Avenue Art Gallery National Juried Painting Exhibition, Memphis Tennessee: 1997
• The Louisiana Art & Artists' Guild Annual National River Road Show Juried Fine Art Exhibition, Baton Rouge, LA: 1997, 1998
  The Pensacola Museum of Art 100 Annual Juried Art Exhibit: 1997, 1998
• The Central South Art Exhibition, Nashville, Tennessee: 1998
• The Florida Art Center 100, Havana, Florida: 1998
• The Watercolor Society of Alabama National Exhibition, Birmingham, Alabama: 1999
• The Mississippi Watercolor Society's Grand National Exhibit: 2000