An artist from Southern California’s flourishing art scene, Leonardo’s abstract paintings play with flow and color, often to very organic results. Leonardo Cruz Melo is a self-taught, locally celebrated up-and-coming Contemporary Abstract Artist. This Orange County, CA based artist has his roots in Mexico City. Leonardo is influenced by the variety of infinite colors, the surreal mind of Leonora Carrington, the vision of Pablo Picasso, the boldness of Diego Rivera, the greatness of Leonardo DaVinci and the unorthodox use of paint by Jackson Pollock.
As a surprise to many, the culinary arts have also driven his passion to create fine art, the way a master chef creates a dish, through balance, vision, color and imagination. Leonardo’s work is about experimenting and creating without rules, allowing the creative mind to flow. Finding beauty in imperfections, his fluid abstract work is mainly based on the movement of the canvas. He layers his canvases with paint, allowing the medium to move around freely, resulting in a creation of lyrical fluidity.
Using the philosophy that "we can only control so much in life" has only enhanced Leonardo’s perception of reality as well as his love for creating and observing the constant evolution of his art. His deep introspective view on life allows him to create from a place of peace and mindfulness and project that onto the canvas. His goal is to create positive, peaceful and mindful works that celebrate the good and beauty that surrounds him. Leonardo has shown his work in various art shows around Southern California such as Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Los Angeles. His work can be found extensively in private collections throughout the United States. You can view more of his work on this website as well as his social media.
