Leila McConnell Art
Leila McConnell was born in 1927 in Los Angeles, California. Her family moved to Houston when she was six and, after graduating from high school, she enrolled at Rice Institute (now Rice University). At the time, Rice had no department of architecture but McConnell sought inspiration from iconic professor James Chillman. After earning her BA from Rice, she continued her art studies at the Museum School (now Glassell School) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. In the summer of 1949, she attended the San Francisco School of Fine Arts and was fortunate to study under Mark Rothko. After her classes with Rothko, she began to paint more abstract pieces. In 1956 she married fellow artist Henri Gadbois.
Realizing that she had a vivid imagination, McConnell embarked on a trip to Europe in 1960. The stucco buildings of Italy greatly impacted her vision and caused a change in her paintings. Her colors became soft and blended, often misty and portraying a sun or moon, causing the artist to deem many of her works “sky paintings.” In 1976, McConnell began creating paper collages, a diversion from her painted works. Although small, her collages impacted the way McConnell created her paintings — her edges became harder, mixed with the mistiness of her skies, and her compositions became more symmetrical. McConnell continues to paint in her unique style and develop her oeuvre of “sky” pieces.
1970s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Paper
2010s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Nylon, Acrylic, Panel, Handmade Paper, Mesh
1960s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Gouache
Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Leila McConnell Art
House Paint, Magazine Paper, Newsprint
2010s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Canvas, Oil, Mixed Media, Ink, Newsprint, Stretcher Bars
1980s Abstract Expressionist Leila McConnell Art
Canvas, Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil, Handmade Paper
Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Leila McConnell Art
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Newsprint, Pencil, Stretcher Bars
Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Leila McConnell Art
Canvas, Plaster, Paper, House Paint, Oil
2010s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Acrylic, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Gesso, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Paper, Ink
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Gesso, Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Ink, Gouache, Handmade Paper
2010s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Wood, Paper, Oil
Late 20th Century Minimalist Leila McConnell Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Contemporary Leila McConnell Art
Oil
2010s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Magazine Paper
1970s Abstract Leila McConnell Art
Oil, Canvas
1970s Minimalist Leila McConnell Art
Oil