Artist Statement

Pia Ledy - Self PortraitFor me, an unstoppable collector of objects, I find that the reasons I collect these items are as varied as the collections themselves. It could be the craftsmanship, materials, color used or just plain nostalgia.  With many of my still life paintings, these objects conjure up memories and emotions and gain a good deal of personality when directed by a creative composition on the canvas. Capturing the personality and intelligence of my subject form the basis of my portraiture; humans, dogs, birds and other fauna. Extracting these dynamic elements are a primary focus of all of my paintings, including my flower paintings, still life, landscape, digital art and plein aire work.

Biography

Pia Ledy is a contemporary realist painter based in TriBeCa and Watermill, New York. While her work includes still life, portraiture and landscape. Pia’s joy has been animals, primarily dogs, where she has been commissioned to paint numerous pets over the years. Her appreciation of birds and flowers, a lifetime of interest piqued by the wide variety on the East End, also play an important role in Pia’s daily painting. She has had several solo shows and has been included in numerous group shows.  Recently, one of her new paintings, “Eames Pony Skin Chair”, was selected to be auctioned at Sotheby’s as part of The New York Academy of Art’s juried Artists for Artists event in December 2021 and is now in Beth Rudin DeWoody’s collection.

Representation by The Beverly McNeil Gallery • Portraits, Inc. • Birmingham,  Alabama.

Shows & Exhibitions

2022 • Take Home a Nude • New York Academy of Art • New York City

2022 In Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2021 Artists for Artists • Sotheby’s • New York Academy of Art, New York City

2021 Tiny Treasures • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2021 In Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2020 Tiny Treasures  • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2020 In Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2020 It Could Be You: Portraiture in a Constructed World • Portraits Inc., Birmingham, Alabama

2019 Tiny Treasures  • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2019 It Could Be You: Portraiture in a Constructed World • Equity Gallery • New York City

2019 In Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2019 Antiques at the Garden • Birmingham Botanical Garden • Birmingham, Alabama

2018 Take Home A Nude • Sotheby’s • New York Academy of Art • New York City

2018 Tiny Treasures  • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2018  Annual Sporting & Wildlife Show • Birmingham, Alabama

2018  Antiques at the Garden • Birmingham Botanical GardensBirmingham, Alabama

2018  In Full Bloom Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery • Birmingham, Alabama

2017 Take Home A Nude • Sotheby’s • New York Academy of Art, New York City

2017 Tiny Treasures • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2017  Annual Sporting & Wildlife Show • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc., Birmingham, Alabama

2017 • Artists Fellowship  Anniversary Group Show & Auction • The National Arts Club • New York City

2017  Antiques at the Garden • Birmingham Botanical Gardens • Birmingham, Alabama 

2017  In Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2016  Take Home A Nude • Sotheby’s • New York Academy of Art, New York City

2016  In Full Bloom • The Beverly McNeil Gallery & Portraits Inc. • Birmingham, Alabama

2016  In Full Bloom • Portraits Inc. • New York City

2015  Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue • Group Show • Bridgehampton, New York

2015  Take Home A Nude • Sotheby’s • New York Academy of Art, New York City

2015  The Big Show • Silas Marder Gallery • Bridgehampton, New York

2013  Take Home A Nude • Sotheby’s • New York Academy of Art, New York City

2013  The Retreat’s Top 25 Artists Juried Group Show • Artists Against Abuse • Easthampton, New York

2013  Solo Show to benefit Operation Smile and Doctors Without Borders • Fifth Avenue Dental Partners • New York City

2012  New York Academy of Art • CE Group Exhibit • New York Academy of Art • New York City

2011  Solo Show (June 28 – July 31, 2011) Pierre’s • Bridgehampton, New York

2009  Solo Show (July 1 – July 27, 2009) Pierre’s • Bridgehampton, New York

2009  Artists Fellowship 150th Anniversary Group Show & Auction • The National Arts Club • New York City

2005  School of Visual Arts Group Show • New York City

Workshops

2022 • Jen Gennari • 3 day workshop • Animals • Easton, Connecticut

2021 • T.J. Cunningham • 3 day workshop • Plein Aire • Watermill, New York

2021 • T.J. Cunningham • 3 day Plein Aire workshop • Shelburne, Vermont

2021 • Nicholas Wilton • 3 week virtual workshop • Spark! • Sausalito, California

2021 • Denise Cerro • 5 day virtual workshop • Mixed Media • Encinitas, California

2020 • Michael Shane Neal • 5 day Portrait workshop in Everett Raymond Kinstler’s studio • Easton, Connecticut

2020 COVID • All classes and shows cancelled.

2018 –  Jake Fischer • 2 day Workshop, Nocturne Painting • New York Academy of Art • New York City

2017 –  Alonsa Guevara • 2 day Workshop, “The Magic of Still Life”  • New York Academy of Art • New York City

2016 –  Alyssa Monks • 4 day Workshop, “Transcending the Photograph”  • New York Academy of Art • New York City

2015 – Jeremy Lipking • 1 week Plein Air Workshop • June Lake • Eastern Sierra Mountains, California

2012 – Martin Wittfooth • 3 day workshop • Allegorical Painting • The Teaching Studios of Brooklyn, New York

2011 – Carol Marine • Sedona Arts Center • Sedona, Arizona

2011 – Everett Raymond Kinstler Workshop • The Art Students League – New York City

2010 – Everett Raymond Kinstler Workshop • National Academy of Design – New York City

2010 – Everett Raymond Kinstler Workshop  • The Art Students League – New York City

2009 – Everett Raymond Kinstler Workshop • National Academy of Design – New York City

2009 – Everett Raymond Kinstler Workshop • The Art Students League – New York City

2008 – Everett Raymond Kinstler Workshop • National Academy of Design – New York City

2004 – Daniel Greene Weekend Workshop • The Art Students League – New York City 

Education

2010 – 2015 Studied with Leah Lopez • New York Academy of Art • NYC

2006 – 2008 Studied with Marvin Mattelson •  School of Visual Arts • NYC

2002 – 2005 Studied with John Parks • School of Visual Arts • NYC

1985 – 1988 New York School of Interior Design • NYC • Professional Three-Year Design Degree

Press & Honors

2014 – Connecticut Cottages & Gardens • Holiday Gift Guide

2013 – Dan’s Paper –  The Retreat’s “Artists’ Against Abuse Fifth Annual Art Show” 

2013 – Nomad Brush “Flex Your Creative Muscles” Competition. First Prize

2012 – Nomad Brush’s Artist of the Month

2012 – Nomad Brush ’Digital Stylus Naming Competition’ Winner • The Nomad “Flex”

2009 – Hamptons Cottages & Gardens

2006-2007 – Quest Magazine NYC “Essentials” Issue: Pet Portraits. The essential dog portraitist

2004-2005 – Quest Magazine NYC “Essentials” Issue: Pet Portraits. The essential dog portraitist

Associations

The Portrait Society of America

The Artist’s Fellowship (Board Trustee)

The National Arts Club • Member

Salmagundi Club • Member

Cecelia Beaux Forum