Featured Artwork

“Life Lived” is a stunning oil and cold wax painting that explodes with vibrant energy and emotion. This contemporary abstract piece by South African artist Leonie Brown is a visual feast of colours and textures, embodying a fully embraced life’s raw essence.

The painting features a dynamic interplay of bold hues—from passionate reds and pinks to serene blues and energetic yellows. Thick impasto layers and expressive brushstrokes create a tactile, three-dimensional quality that invites viewers to explore the canvas deeply. The composition suggests a landscape of experiences, with each colour representing different emotional states and life events.

This artwork powerfully relates to Leonie Brown’s artist statement, serving as a testament to her journey of resilience and transformation. The vibrant colours and bold strokes reflect her emergence from the shadows of complex PTSD and abuse, while the layered textures symbolise the depth of her experiences. “Life Lived” represents shattering invisible barriers and embracing life’s full spectrum of emotions.

This vibrant abstract painting, “Joy in the Morning,” is a powerful expression of raw emotion and energy. It showcases the interplay of bold brushstrokes and a dramatic colour palette that ranges from fiery reds and oranges to cool blues and purples. The artist’s bold, fearless technique creates a sense of movement and depth, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the visual rhythms.

Through the lens of abstract expressionism, the painting seems to capture the essence of joy and vitality, transforming the canvas into a celebration of the human experience. Each stroke, each splash of pigment, tells a story of the artist’s own creative journey, allowing the viewer to embark on a transformative visual exploration.

About

My Journey

My art isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about narrative.

As an experienced artist specialising in oil painting, oil and cold wax, and encaustic painting since 2004, I have dedicated my career to crafting captivating visual stories that evoke emotions and inspire those who witness them. My unique creations are not confined to the canvas; they transcend traditional boundaries, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of self-reflection and discovery.

With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to my craft, I strive to create artworks that are true reflections of my passion for narrative storytelling.  

Over the years, I have actively painted, sold, and exhibited my artworks in various local and international galleries, successfully conducting online sales to clients from the USA, Germany, and China.

My artistic journey has been marked by numerous achievements and recognition within the art world. From 1985 to 2023, I participated in various international competitions, and solo and group exhibitions, further solidifying my credibility and relevance. In 2023, I was honoured to be featured as one of the Top 10 Artists by Artling and as a Featured Artist in Artsy Shark. Additionally, my talent has been celebrated through numerous accolades, including First Prize in the Potchefstroom Talent Festival (1986), the Volkskas Atelier (now ABSA) Winner of Painting Category (1985), the Gregoire Boonzaaier Art Bursary First Prize (1985), and placements in the top 10 nationally in the Total Exhibition for Young Artists (1986), among others.

"My canvases are battlegrounds where thick impasto and bold strokes fight the invisible walls of PTSD, creating vivid abstractions that scream resilience. More than mere images, these are beacons of hope—inviting viewers to break free from their own glass prisons and embrace life's full spectrum. Through my art, I reach out to fellow survivors, urging them to choose vitality over darkness, forgiveness over bitterness. Every brushstroke is a declaration: your past doesn't define you; it empowers you."
Leonie.e.Brown
Artist

Showroom

Explore the evolution of my artistic journey through sold artworks, organized by year. Each piece tells a unique story, capturing moments of creativity and inspiration across time. At the core of Leonie’s artistic practice is her personal philosophy rooted in positivity and forgiveness as pathways to an abundant life. 

Sold Artwork Collection

Leonie employs a diverse array of materials to achieve depth and texture in her work. Cold wax and Encaustics allows her to create thick, tactile layers that beckon viewers to experience the art through touch. Resin enables her to thin out pigments, resulting in translucent passages that reveal underlying truths. Gestural ink applications produce gossamer veils, hinting at the emergence of new life. 

Testimonials

Heiko, Kristin, Til and Jan - Germany

After much anticipation due to the photos we received, we were able to unpack and marvel at the picture yesterday. We are really totally amazed. The dramatic mood of the picture (created especially by the detailed sky, the composition in general and the effects by the shimmer of the wax layers is truly breathtaking. We are glad to have decided for the Encaustic Wax-technology and can hardly wait until the picture hangs framed on the wall. It is particularly valuable for us because we were now able to get to know the artist (of undoubtedly international class) as well as the person of Leonie.

Shawn Hoover - USA

I purchased “ I will watch over you” as a gift for my wife and couldn’t be more pleased with the exceptional quality, attention to detail and skill. Its beautiful and would recommend her paintings. She was extremely easy to work with and does excellent work.

Am Weinburg 5 star Hotel - Windhoek

Three large paintings were commissioned and completed for Am Weinburg Hotel.