Jeanne Leemon, a Tellico Village resident by way of Chicago, took home a grand prize of $10,000 and recognition from some of the region’s best artists in the American Women Artists Exhibition ‘Mark & Meaning’ exhibition in late April.
Leemon won for her still life painting titled ‘Celebration of Spring,’ which depicts a vase with peony flowers sprouting from out of its mouth atop a wooden table and in front of a brown wall. A release from the group states that the piece was chosen due to its “mastery of skill demonstrated in the hyperrealist work.”
“The painting’s misplaced lone blossom on the table, and several fallen petals, remind us to enjoy spring while we can. Every season is fleeting,” the release reads.
Leemon was one of just twenty artists to be recognized with an award at the April 24 ceremony in Clarksville. Winners ranged in style and location with some artists hailing from as far away as Miami, FL, Minneapolis, MI, and Santa Barbara, CA. Almost 800 different entries were submitted for awards consideration at this year’s event.
Growing up in Oak Park, Illinois, Leemon was introduced to and fell in love with the arts at a very early age. She spent many afternoons after school playing one of many instruments or dutifully sketching out pieces of artwork that would reveal themselves as a passion point later in life. Mostly self-taught, she’d go on to teach and work in various administrative roles before again picking up the easel and pencil in her 40’s to continue to pursue art in a more serious manner. Since then, her work has garnered national attention. Leemon won a Silver Medal at the Oil Painters of America National Salon Show in 2024, was a finalist in the Art Renewal Center Salon multiple times, and received awards from the Portrait Society of America and International Guild of Realism. Her work has been seen in American Art Collector and International Artist as well as in the homes of several collectors.
American Women Artists is a not for profit organization that focuses on the visual artwork of women and highlighting their efforts in the medium. The group is constantly providing resources to female artists in an effort to advance their careers and pursue gender equality in fine arts spaces. According to the organization, only 13% of pieces on display in museum collections have been created by a female artist.
To learn more about American Women Artists, you can visit americanwomenartists.org.
