Leon Collins Art
American, b. 1930
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown Leon Collins (Texas Artist)
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown “The inspiration comes from my great, great grandmother...the will comes from God.”
Leon Collins was born in Galveston. At the age of four, he was sent to live with relatives in Baton Rouge. At eight he moved to Beverly Hills, California to live with his mother. Each summer he was sent to Brazoria, Texas to stay with his great-great-grandmother, “Big Mama.”
“Big Mama,” who lived to be 114, told him stories which he recorded in his Big Chief notebook. When Leon’s mother passed away, Leon moved from California to Texas where his mother’s sister lived.
“If God gives me my sight back, I’m going to start painting again.”
For two years Leon’s daughter Molly Bee was his caretaker when he was afflicted by brain cancer in 2005. In 2007, his sight returned. He kept his promise to God.
Before returning to his art, Leon spent time as a picker of antiques. One antique store saw some of Molly Bee’s paintings and quickly sold them at his shop. Both Leon and Molly Bee were quickly in the art business. Word of their “folk” art quickly spread. Their paintings hang from coast to coast. Recently Rice University recognized their art with the exhibit "The Color of Life."
Of his artwork, Leon Collins said: "Ninety percent of my work comes from God and Big Mama.”
Leon’s and Molly Bee’s Updates: Leon and Molly Bee Collins have exhibited at the Main St. Fort Worth Arts festival.
That opening is special for two reasons. This was a father / daughter exhibition, and this is their first show in an art gallery. The Texas artist’s work is from their hearts and imaginations. Neither is trained as an artist, instead their paintings are "recollections” of stories, events, places, characters and ideas brought to life in brilliant color. Information for the Festival read: "Leon’s need to paint came about because of an “unusual life situation. "One morning Leon lost the ability to speak and his sight. For two years he lived in darkness and fear. He never lost his faith though. Miraculously both returned at the same time. It was at that moment he decided to paint “to keep the darkness away.” His daughter, Molly Bee, encouraged him to paint his poetry and that is why she is the light of his life.
Molly Bee acquired her nickname at the age of two. Named after Leon’s great-great grandmother’s sister, the first Molly Bee lived to be 119 and died in 1970. Her first memory was of seeing her parents chained together at a slave auction. She lived a rich, full life that she shared with Leon. It was these stories that Molly Bee began to paint in her own style at the age of nine. Source:
"Leon Collins," Old Art Guy,
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Leon Collins does a kind of folky-edgy/borderline unsettling art and cannot keep his work in stock.to
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"CHURCH" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
2024
"Church"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"TARNADO COMING" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 12 X 29.5
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 11 x 28.5
Frame Size: 12 x 29.5
Medium: Oil on Board
2024
"Tarnado Coming"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown Died ...
Category
2010s Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"HUNTING DOG" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 24 X 36
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 23 x 35
Frame Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Oil on Board
"Hunting Dog"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"MOTHER AND DAUGHTER" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 38 x 26 AFRICAN AMERICAN
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 38 x 26
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"Mother and Daughter"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"BULL AND BIRD" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Bull and Bird"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"MISSION IN TEXAS" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 22 x 34
Frame Size: Unframed
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dated 2025
"Mission in Texas"
Leon Collins Birthda...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"WOMAN AND CHILD" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
2024
"Woman and Child"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration ...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"THE GUITARIST" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"The Guitarist"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"ALAMO" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Alamo"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes from my g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"GOLFING" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Golfing"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes from my...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"WILD DOG" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Wild Dog"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes from m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"Mamas Shock" African American Black Folk Artist LEON COLLINS OF TEXAS
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Born Galveston Texas Artist
Image Size: 28 x 21.75
Medium: Oil "Mama's Shock"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Te...
Category
1970s Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
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Artist Biography:
Leon Collins was born in Galveston. At the age of four, he was sent to live with relatives in Baton Rouge. At eight he moved to Beverly Hills, California to live with his mother. Each summer he was sent to Brazoria, Texas to stay with his great-great-grandmother, “Big Mama.”
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Leon Collins art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Leon Collins art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Leon Collins in oil paint, paint and more. Not every interior allows for large Leon Collins art, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Johnny Banks, Robert Sellers, and Therese James. Leon Collins art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,400 and tops out at $1,400, while the average work can sell for $1,400.