Featured Artist John Leben

Digital artist John Leben’s fantastic series of amusing (and somewhat disturbing) images focus on whimsically creative solutions to the urban explosion. Learn more about this artist and his work by visiting his website.

 

"Moon Town" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Moon Town” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

Ever since high school (or maybe even earlier), I wanted to be an artist. I took public transportation every Saturday morning from my home on the Southwest side of Chicago to the famous Art Institute of Chicago to participate in an innovative scholarship program offered to talented students in the Chicago Public Schools. Those sessions sealed my fate.

 

"Out House Island Fire" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Out House Island Fire” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

I continued my art training, culminating in an MFA in Painting and Printmaking from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago, and embarked on an art career. But, like many artists, I got sidetracked by the need to make a living and support a growing family. In those early days, fine art took a back seat to a more lucrative occupation, media production. I was a film and video producer for many years, still utilizing my creative talents, but in a diverse range of media. I still painted and exhibited here and there, but with a lot less intensity than was needed.

 

"Oasis" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Oasis” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

Fast forward about thirty years. My two daughters were grown and on their own. We made a move to Saugatuck, Michigan (an arty resort town on the shores of Lake Michigan) and my media business was on life support. I didn’t realize it at the time, but shedding Leben Productions (my media production business) was the best thing for jump starting my fine art career. I jumped into art with a passion.

 

"Elephant Town" Digi-tal Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Elephant Town” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

As a media producer, I once produced a film for Motorola called “Adapt or Die.” It was about the importance of adapting and growing with the changing conditions of technology and the marketplace.

 

"Blimp Town" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Blimp Town” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

What is true in the communications industry is also true in the art world. As artists we have to continue to grow and adapt to changing dynamics. I’ve built my art career with a mix of art fairs, gallery representation and online sales. My next change is to open a gallery in Douglas, Michigan called the LebenArt Gallery.

 

"Sanctuary" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Sanctuary” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

I’m a digital artist. I’ve always been fascinated by technology and its applications for fine art. I paint in my computer and use the finished digital paintings as printing plates for producing limited edition prints for sale.

 

"Last Egg" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Last Egg” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

My work these days has an environmental theme, using surrealistic imagery, fantasy and humor to offer (often absurd) solutions to environmental problems. This year I’ll be showing at fewer art fairs, but focusing on exhibiting my own work, and the work of other like-minded digital artists in the LebenArt Gallery. It’s an exciting time for me as I continue to “Adapt.”

 

"Elephant Parade" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Elephant Parade” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

I call the images in this series the “Urban Punk” Series. In these pictures, I’m having some fun with environmental issues.

 

"Tower Nest" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Tower Nest” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

I’m pretending I’m a (somewhat demented) city planner, or environmental engineer, tasked with coming up with solutions to environmental problems. Each solution is a bit absurd and offered to the viewer to both make him or her laugh, and, to make him or her think about the problems facing our environment.

 

"Octopus Town" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Octopus Town” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

Overpopulation, overcrowded and crumbling cities, air and water pollution, and endangered species are some of the topics my pictures address using surrealistic imagery, fantasy and humor.

 

"Balloon Bridge" Digital Art, Various Sizes by artist John Leben. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Balloon Bridge” Digital Art, Various Sizes

 

LebenArt Gallery is at 26 Center Street in Douglas, Michigan. The official opening of the gallery is on May 6, 2017.

 

Artist John Leben invites you to follow him on Facebook.

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!

Sign Up For Updates!

Comments

  1. John Leben’s artwork caught my eye for three reasons. First because I am a cartoonist using a part digital process and John’s photographic come cartoony style had me hooked. Second – because some of the images on this page would lend themselves to a childrens book that have recently published on kindle and he has given me some great ideas for illustrations for the next book which will be completed in a couple of months. And last but not least because he is rather clever at composing these brilliant images. Did I say rather clever!…I meant to say he has a streak of genius. I am so pleased I ventured onto artsyshark.com (how you have escaped my beady eye I don’t know!) as there are excellent articles on here and I will be back for another large dose soon…Thanks!

Speak Your Mind

*