Jean Leathers has an eye for the abstract in the built environment. She’s drawn toward urban stress and creates beautiful images from the ways in which natural processes act on man-made materials.
Jean invites you to view this gallery as a small meditation break from the busyness of your day. Take your time, focus on your breath, and enjoy the respite, resting your eyes in visual delight.
Clicking on an image will allow you to view them one at a time.
Almost Corten
Brooklyn, NY | May 2017
What drew me to these images was the sun’s illumination of rust, the randomness of the screws, and the gorgeous palette that emerges, particularly the deep maroon bleeding into the orange, the dark corner echoing the light tan of the wood.
Torii Columns
Nara, Japan | March 2014
These abstract images are from weathered columns at a traditional Japanese gate. I love how the peeling paint speaks of impermanence. Each image has a message of its own. Best viewed if you click on the first image and view them one at a time.
Blue Bamboo
Kyoto, Japan | Ryoan-Ji Temple | March 2014
The feeling of land and sea, a Rothko-inspired short series.
Corrugated Rust
Kyoto, Japan | March 2014
On a small street away from the busy metropolis, a corrigated patchwork scene reminds me of a monk’s robes.
Retainer Wall
Naoshima-Cho, Japan | March 2014
This simple retainer wall, once red, now blue speaks of change to me.
Enso
Ikaruga, Japan | March 2014
In Zen, an “enso,” or circle, is drawn by hand in a single brushstroke. It is a calligraphic practice that symbolizes many things and is an expression of the creator’s state of mind, presence and being. I see enso everywhere…
Burnished Metal
Naoshima, Japan | Benesse Art Site | March 2014
Sun and rain on the well-loved scupture Three Vertical Squares Diagonal by George Rickey (1907-2002).
https://www.insidejapantours.com/blog/2016/08/09/3-amazing-art-installations-naoshima-island/
Untitled
Hiroshima, Japan | March 2014
With reverence…
I-480 Bridge
Cleveland, Ohio | Rocky River Metroparks | January 2018
Abstract art is everywhere if you allow yourself to see it. These paintings are on the base of the I-480 bridge. One could see this as paint covering graffiti, or one could see it for what it is.
1960’s Era Volkswagon Van
Marin, California | December 2016
Someone took their vintage VW van up a notch…
Beautiful Stench
San Francisco, California | October 2018
Perhaps my favorite series, these images are of a garbage-filled dumpster sitting in the hot sun along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. While swatting flies and breathing through my mouth, some of my favorite abstract images came to be.
Corrugated Watermelon
Okayama, Japan | April 2014
Impermanence, time, decay, texture, new ideas of beauty…
Dripping Rust
Tonosho, Japan | April 2015
No solid state of anything.
Alabaster
San Antonio, Texas | River Walk | July 2014
Sometimes nature itself is the magic…
Fencing
Missoula, Montana | May 2015
So many expressions…
Facade
Missoula, Montana | May 2015
Rust having its say…
Rusty Steel
Nara, Japan | March 2014
Etchings…
Rusty Tendrils
Nara, Japan | March 2014
The palettes are delicious…