Artist LeeAnn Brook opens new gallery and studio in Nevada City

THIS SUMMER, LEEANN BROOK, one of Nevada County’s most-accomplished artists, opened up an art gallery and studio on Spring St. in downtown Nevada City, where she’s helping to grow its reputation as an arts district.

The gallery is just across the street from a studio LeeAnn occupied when she moved here nearly 40 years ago from the Connecticut countryside. “I’ve come full circle,” says LeeAnn.

LeeAnn Brook Fine Art Gallery & Studio at 300 Spring St. is ideal for showing her large-format contemporary landscapes and abstracts. It is open and airy, and bathed in sunlight, along with new gallery lights. LeeAnn gives her art room to “breathe” amid some original furnishings, including Japanese antiques.

The gallery is open Thursdays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m. or by appointment. It also is open during the Fall Colors Open Studios & Art Tour; Thanksgiving weekend; Victorian Christmas and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

At the gallery, art enthusiasts can visit with LeeAnn and discuss her artwork. “A unique aspect is getting to meet the artist,” she says. Visitors also can peek into her studio to see what she’s painting.

Since the gallery opened, LeeAnn has sold paintings to collectors from our area, Reno, Sacramento, Switzerland and London. “It’s been amazing,” she says.

Her gallery also will feature some outstanding artwork from other local artists, including Rick and Janet Nicholson’s exquisite hand-blown glass, Sam Tubiolo’s ceramics or Mike Snegg’s hand-crafted wooden vessels.

LeeAnn’s work explores the landscape through color and movement. Using an expressive layering of colors, unique textures, and an awareness of light, her landscape paintings are inspired by water, grasslands, gardens and forests.

Her paintings often feature local sights, including the South Yuba River, Hirschman’s Pond, Oregon Creek, or the Sierra. She also has published a book, Points of Inspiration: An Artist’s Journey with Painting and Photography. It has won four national awards.

LEEANN BROOK’S GALLERY OPEN FOR THESE SPECIAL EVENTS:

Fall Colors Open Studios & Art Tour
Oct. 10-11 & 17-18

Thanksgiving Weekend
November 27, 28 and 29

Victorian Christmas
Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 & 20, 1:30-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 16 & 23, 5-9 p.m.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Jan. 14-18, 2016

(Photo: Robert Stelson)