My work could be divided into two categories, before and after sobriety. There are a few examples of my pre-2015 work floating around, but not many. I got sober in the summer of 2015 and the vast majority of my work resides from then until the present. Creating art has become a large part of my recovery and one that I wasn't sure I could carry over into this new way of life . When using found objects, I am creating something new from something old and broken. I become a living embodiment of my work, I am no longer useless, I have a new purpose. Symbolism plays a big part in my work, often personal to me and used as reminders of the past and how far I've come. Donating original artworks to charitable causes is very rewarding, and though I can not force my own creativity, the process that leads up to giving it away often makes the piece better.
Columbus artist, David Leonard is self taught. Focusing in mixed media paintings and assemblages and often incorporating found objects into his work . The finding, storing and eventually reusing has become a natural part of his process. As an untrained artist, Leonard has said mixed-media isn't really an apt descriptor of his work, suggesting , "painting-sculpture, like one word," instead. He has participated in multiple group exhibitions over the years and one solo exhibit, "I woke up" at the Fresh Air Gallery in 2017. David has donated original artwork to Fresh Air's, Art of Recovery from 2013 until its hiatus in 2022. He was accepted into the Art For Life in 2023 and considers this a highlight and natural progression to his wish to give art away, as the former avenue was on pause. His work is featured in corporate and private collections locally and abroad.