Biography for Kit Leese

 started his career completing a degree in Marine Zoology at Bangor University in 1979. Even then he was more interested in painting, but the usual pressures of supporting a family led to a 30 year career in the water industry. However he still found time to paint and had his first successful one-man show only two years later. He continued to paint and exhibit throughout his career, enjoying a series of one-man and mixed exhibitions, particularly at our original Hayletts Gallery, then located on North Hill, Colchester in the late1980’s through to1997.

After much soul searching, in 2012 Kit finally took the plunge and took early retirement. Since then he has not looked back, painting at every opportunity he finds.

During his early years as an artist, Kit developed considerable skills in the art of etching and is fortunate to have a printing studio at his home. Here he produces atmospheric, largely landscape based etchings and aquatints. As one of the original members of the esteemed Print Group 12 PM, Kit has exhibited his etchings regularly in galleries around East Anglia over the years.

Kit employs a loose painterly style when painting acrylic and watercolour, building up each picture to reflect atmospheric landscapes, seascapes and estuary views as well as the occasional flower painting. He loves the natural colours nature and changing weather create in all different seasons from threatening skies to bright Summer days, mindful of retaining a light touch.
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Having spent the last 22 years living on the edge of the River Stour with his family, he has been inspired by the areas rich source of beauty. With coastal views and open landscapes on his doorstep he always starts by painting entirely on the spot, then develops the artwork later in his studio. Many of his recent paintings in this exhibition show the effect of light on the landscape, particularly across the estuaries and coastline of North Essex and Suffolk.