Luc Leestemaker

Artist Information

Originally from Holland, Luc Leestemaker’s paintings reflect a unique fusion of the Dutch landscapes of his homeland and the expansive skies of his adopted country. In 1990, he immigrated to the United States, leaving behind both his family and a successful career as an artist advocate. Facing a challenging period of personal transformation, he sought a new beginning—one defined by optimism and artistic exploration.

Leestemaker comes from a lineage of artists, with both his grandfather and great-grandfather working as painters and art educators. Although his grandfather passed away when Luc was just three years old, he felt a deep connection to him through the paint box he left behind, sparking a lifelong passion for artistic expression.

His work pays homage to Dutch artistic traditions, often beginning with a dark underpainting in ochre and deep red hues. However, his influences extend beyond the Netherlands—his textured surfaces, created with layers of concrete, draw inspiration from the rugged beauty of the California coastline. Leestemaker admired the structure and precision of Mondrian but was equally captivated by the expressive intensity of Van Gogh. He also found inspiration in the raw, emotive power of American Abstract Expressionism. His current artistic style emerged following a series of profound life experiences, including a near loss of vision in one eye.

Working primarily with acrylic paint, concrete, and oil varnish, Leestemaker developed a distinctive approach that emphasizes texture, luminosity, and depth. He dedicated more than 15 years to painting, refining his signature style since 1998.

His work has been exhibited extensively in both the United States and Holland. In 2004, he was honored with two solo museum retrospectives at the Bakersfield Museum in California and the West Valley Museum in Arizona. His paintings have also gained recognition in the film industry, appearing in major productions such as Erin Brockovich, Bringing Down the House, and Steve Martin’s Shopgirl. In 2005, his work was featured in another museum exhibition at the Riverside Art Museum in California.

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