Leoni Duff  

I spent many years living in rural NorthEast Tasmania in the tiny hamlet of  Herrick, and being self taught, I have developed a personal style, drawing on influences from my study of the history of art and contemporary art practice. I feel this time of solitude to have been an advantage in allowing an independent development of style and a freedom of expression not driven by trends that often move and mould the art world.  I find that the language of classical art can be used powerfully to express contemporary themes. I also love to move beyond the literal and allow the painting to lead in any interesting direction it suggests. I am also deeply committed to the exploration of ideas and connections in art, exploring the possibilities of my chosen medium and its ability to convey my responses to life.

My background and training in music gives me a deep connection with the history of the arts and I  am particularly drawn to the Baroque themes and methods. I see my art as visual music,

I am  now extending my work especially in oils, seeking to express my deeply spiritual view of life through the drama of light in my subjects.  My paintings always seek to imply eternal realities behind the temporal and daily normalities.

Since 2008 I have been operating my teaching and painting studio in Launceston and am now responding to the city environment and the wealth of human issues that move me to paint.

Having recently travelled through the great European galleries and collections as the leader of art and culture tours of Europe, I have grown in my fervent belief in the importance of a disciplined approach to the development of a language enabling an artist to be unhindered in their exploration of creative potential, originality and imaginative freedom of expression.

In recent years, I  have been humbled and much encouraged by the recognition I have received in some of Australia's leading art prizes.