**[Jon Leafstedt](https://www.cohart.com/jleafstedt/profile)**'s artistic journey began at a young age, painting alongside his mother as a creative pastime. Starting at just seven years old, he developed a love for art that would continue throughout his life. Although his early years were shaped by a focus on business—culminating in leadership roles at major retail organizations like Esprit de Corp, NIKE, Williams-Sonoma, and Scandinavian Design—Leafstedt never strayed far from his passion for painting. He made time for his art on weekends, even while overseeing large-scale retail operations.

Today, Jon lives and works on a small hillside property in Sonoma, where he has transformed an old barn into a creative studio. In this tranquil setting, he explores new painting techniques and continues to evolve as an artist. Through his website, jonleafstedt.com, he shares his work with a wider audience, offering both original pieces and prints-on-demand. His art is now a full expression of his lifelong passion, blending his business acumen with his creative spirit.

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##### Can you describe your artistic process? What materials and techniques do you typically use? 

I am a painter of abstract land & seascapes. My present work pivots on one central theme: the powerful geometry of long & linear horizons rooted in my childhood. For me, horizons equal possibility and a promise of new beginnings…a view & path to a better place…a dividing line between the present (chaotic) and the future (hopeful). I typically paint in both oil and cold wax, and either paint over wood or hand-stretch linen. 

##### What message or emotion do you hope to convey through your art? 

I like to think of each work as a catalyst to promote a viewer’s journey, one where they can look off into the distance, encouraged by their anticipation of a better tomorrow through my use of color, texture, and perspective - capturing moody, allusive and imaginative interpretations of earth, sky, and water. I want every viewer to see my hand-painted horizons as a place of self-discovery and encouragement to move forward with an openness to the unknown.

##### What role does spontaneity versus planning play in your creative process?

I tend to be more planful when executing each new piece. As I continue to expand gallery representation, continuity of style and execution is important to me.

##### Can you discuss a piece that challenged you both technically and conceptually? 

Generally speaking, cold wax is used in more pure abstract work. When I first started exploring this medium, I found it challenging, through palette knives and wax squeegees, to convey more realistic aspects of land and seascapes. It’s been a fun process to perfect these skills over time. 

##### Can you share a specific project or piece that holds special significance for you? Why is it important? 

My painting, “GREAT OAK” was featured in the deYoung Open in 2023. Over 10,000 Bay Area artists applied for 800 positions. As a fine art painter, this was super gratifying as well as validating. 

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##### How important is the exhibition space to the presentation of your work? Do you adapt your pieces for different venues or spaces? 

I try to stay true to creating the work that makes me most fulfilled versus adapting pieces for special venues or clients. I grew up in corporate retail where I was president of retail for Nike, as well as head of design and merchandising at Williams-Sonoma. How the customer voted everyday heavily influenced the products we created. Trends dictated product development. 

Now that I am retired from that world, where painting has always been my truest passion, I paint for me. It’s really the first time in my life that I have given myself permission to focus on my vision of a better place through my art.

##### What impact do you hope your art has on the community or society at large, if any? 

My goal as an artist is to get folks out of their heads and onto the canvas by providing work and concepts that feel beautiful, relatable, and inclusive, as well as promote introspection and positivity. Through my imagined horizons, I am hopeful they can take a transcendent journey through the landscape…somewhere peaceful and happy…a journey yet to be completed, but one that will ultimately lead to their own personal freedom.

##### Do you incorporate any cultural or historical references into your work? 

I currently don’t incorporate any cultural or historical references in my work. My work focuses more on a world that I like to “imagine”-perhaps my work is influenced more retrospectively. 

I grew up as a gay kid in Iowa in the 1970’s. I recall the endless expanses of land & sky from the back seat of my parents’ Lincoln on long country drives to my grandparents river-valley farm. This memory is deeply rooted in my love for long horizons and my fantasy of the “other” place I imagined, out there, that would be more welcoming. While I have many wonderful memories from my childhood, I was always looking for an exit. 

Before I clearly understood the whispers of the narrow-minded, I felt the hurt of bullies. In a small town, with no place left to hide, the better world for me laid somewhere out on the horizon. I wanted to be free. Free from judgment of something I could not help from being. I left, followed the horizon, and my life blossomed. I hope to share this world-view with folks who view my work.

##### How do you handle feedback on your work? 

Super constructively. I love a good critique. I’m always learning. If something said really resonates with me, I’ll consider how my work might be influenced.

##### If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why? 

Oh gosh…I think I would have liked to travel with John Singer Sargent on one of his many trips through Spain in the 19th century, painting both village people and portraits of society folks. I love his work. It also would have been great to hang with the mid-century artists who frequented the Hamptons during the 1950’s & 60’s.   


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Jon Leafstedt’s abstract land and seascapes explore the power of horizons, color, and texture, offering viewers a journey of self-discovery and hope.

Spotlight: Jon Leafstedt Captures Hopeful Horizons in Abstract Art

Great Oak, Jon Leafstedt

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