Meet Jon Leckie

Jon’s artistic journey is shaped by a life rich in experience and movement. Originally from Manchester, he grew up in North Wales and later spent many years in Essex, where he worked as a teacher for 23 years before settling in Weston-super-Mare with his family around 13 years ago. Jon describes Weston as a beautiful place, drawn not only to its coastal charm but also to its faded seaside chic.

He earned a Master’s degree in Fine Art around 2022, during the COVID years — a period that deepened his creative exploration and reflection.

Jon primarily works from imagination, with his paintings emerging as responses to particular stimuli. Each piece stands alone as a unique work, yet often connects to others through underlying themes — whether a word, a childhood memory, a cartoon, a lyric, an object, an architectural feature such as a lamppost or candle, or even a political idea. Rather than painting objects as they are, Jon seeks to infuse them with life, character, and emotion, often using his art as an outlet for personal reflection and existential exploration.

His process often begins with sketches or small canvases to develop compositions, though he relishes working on a larger scale when possible. His wife affectionately remarks that Jon’s paintings are “like Marmite — you either love them or hate them.” Jon hopes to incorporate more of Weston’s landscapes, architecture, and atmosphere into future work.

Having known of the Old Town Quarry since moving to Weston, Jon once exhibited there several years ago. He long dreamed of having a studio space at the Quarry — something that once seemed almost impossible. Finally being granted a studio was, in his words, “a dream come true,” and he remains “over the moon” about it.

The Quarry’s stunning setting, surrounded by natural beauty and a thriving creative community, offers Jon both inspiration and a sense of belonging. He looks forward to drawing from the environment’s artistic energy and the life that flourishes within its unique landscape.