Joe Leonard (b. 1993) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Columbus, Ohio, whose paintings explore the overlooked beauty of everyday objects. Working primarily in oil, Leonard transforms familiar subjects into bold, immersive compositions through exaggerated scale, extreme close-up perspectives, saturated color, and subtly distorted space. His paintings occupy a space between observation and imagination, presenting ordinary objects as monumental forms that invite reflection, nostalgia, and personal connection.

Drawing inspiration from vintage picture books, cookbooks, advertisements, and the visual language of midcentury design, Leonard searches for imagery that carries a sense of familiarity and emotional resonance. He imagines his paintings almost as stage props: carefully designed, flattened objects that could be cut from the canvas and placed within the world of a play. Through this approach, his subjects become both recognizable and slightly uncanny, encouraging viewers to reconsider the objects that surround them and the memories attached to them.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Miami University, Leonard studied oil painting at Laguna College of Art and Design before returning to Ohio to develop his studio practice. His work has been exhibited throughout Ohio, including the Columbus Arts Festival, where he received the Best Emerging Artist Award, and Reflections of America at 250 with the Ohio Arts League. He has completed public mural projects throughout the region and serves on the Board of Directors and Development Committee at Wild Goose Creative. His work is held in the collection of the Greater Columbus Arts Council and in private collections throughout the United States.