Meet Leon Hardowar: The Guyanese Artist Behind ARTLEE – A Local Online Art Gallery

Local Artist Leon Hardowar launched his online art gallery “ArtLee” in March 2021 despite the Covid-19 disease outbreak. Having quit his job in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Hardowar, like many others in Guyana and around the world sought a safer, alternative income. Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Leon Hardowar worked as a graphic artist, however, Leon was forced to look for other means to make ends meet. While Leon worked in the design field he always had a knack for painting, his passion which he had previously considered his hobby. It wasn’t until 2020, that he realized he could pursue his dream of becoming an artist and entrepreneur.

Covid-19 has helped me out in a lot of ways. It took me out of a three (3) years art block. It made me realize art can be as feasible as a career. It helped me cope with the lockdown. It was a blessing in disguise somewhat.

I realized it’s better working alone than under someone. I work at my own leisure and I get to do what I love. I also enjoy the process of growing a  business. I’m getting older and I want to finish as many paintings as possible.

Artist Leon Hardowar

Born on 28th March 1992, the Guyanese artist Leon Hardowar grew up in Enterprise but later moved to Non Pariel where he spent most of his childhood. Leon or Lee as he is popularly known, recalls attending church and creating posters and cut-outs for church projects. Leon’s fascination with the arts developed at an early age when his Prep A teacher instructed the class to draw a cow. Impressed by his detailed drawing, she laughed and told him he should be an artist. Even though Leon knew his teacher was joking, he was motivated to pursue art. His parents were always supportive of his career choice and told him “do what makes you happy”.

Hardowar formally pursued Arts at the Annandale Secondary School but it wasn’t until Burrowes’ School of Art, that he made a decision to work in the art field. Leon Hardowar attended the Burrowes’ School of Art in 2015 where he obtained beginner certificates in painting, graphic design and photography.  The following year, he graduated with an advanced certificate in painting. Art has always been Hardowar’s refuge, and also where he is most comfortable – bringing life to a blank canvas.

I create are because it’s what I’m good at, I feel like I’m in control where I can express myself the way I want to. It helps me to cope and it’s where I have the most confidence.  I’m not afraid to push myself and am comfortable with making mistakes.

Art is like clay, it can be formed into anything you want it to be and you get as much as you put into it. Creating something from scratch is godlike, no better feeling than after a finish a painting. What I love about it is also that no two artists are the same, no one can take away or copy your individualism.

Lee is skilled in oil paintings, acrylic painting, digital art illustration and face and body painting which he learnt in one of his previous jobs. Leon is inspired by masters like Van Goh, Pablo Picasso, Franciso Goya, and Jean-Micheal Basquiat among others but is also a big fan of modern artists like Aaron Blaise, Andrew Tischler, Lois VanBarke and Carla Grace. His favourite art to create is based on Guyana’s local wildlife, of which Hardowar believe needs more awareness, especially the endangered animals.

I always had a deep fascination for wildlife, growing up I would practice drawing random animals. I only recently decided to become an artist. I didn’t see it as a feasible job until now. Used to look at it more as a hobby.

In addition to his wildlife canvas paints, Leon does realistic portraits of people. While these are sometimes and very challenging tedious tasks, nothing else gives Leon the greatest satisfaction than a client’s happiness. These are some of his previous canvas paintings:

When the artist is not painting he is doing digital art, creating dynamic and almost ethereal, fantasy pieces. Hardowar considers his digital pieces as a hobby, creating fan-arts of his favourite characters from animes like Naruto, television shows like Teen Titans and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Additionally, he combines fantasy with realism in some of his pieces like The Forest Ranger and The Lone Wolf.

ArtLee

ArtLee was launched on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram by Leon Hardowar earlier this year. Currently, ArtLee offers canvas painting, digital painting and graphic design services. While it is a relatively small business, Hardowar puts much effort into his growing business. In the future, ArtLee will stock murals, curated art supplies, frames and customized canvas prints. These canvas prints will be the original work of artist Leon Hardowar but printed in multiple copies on canvas, with little difference from the original. Hardowar’s aim is to create and produce unique, affordable art.

Collage of Past Work – By Leon Hardowar

Contact Information of Leon Hardowar

• Facebook Page: ArtLee
• Instagram: ArtLee
• Facebook Profile: Lee Hardowar
• Telephone #: 592-616-1471

While our artists are celebrated on holidays and special occasions, Leon believes that not much is done to support local creatives year-round. One of his future goals is to help create a safe space for art in Guyana via his personal brand and to collaborate with other creatives and wildlife and landscape photographers. Apart from painting, Leon is interested in sculpting and leathercraft which he intends to pursue soon.

Leon Hardowar’s biggest canvas painting was four feet by five feet (4ft x 5 ft) but the artist is looking to break this record. If you’re looking to help him, send him a message directly or via his Facebook and Instagram pages, ArtLee. Leon Hardowar also accepts commissions for canvas painting, digital portraits and graphic design.