During his distinguished career as an artist, Leslie B. DeMille (1927-2017) made a significant contribution to American art. He won dozens of awards in the nation’s leading art shows and has created thousands of commissioned works, including art for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. DeMille exhibited his art in numerous art shows and galleries across the country and his work is included in many permanent collections.
Created a Popular Television Series
In the 1980’s, DeMille starred in the television series Portraits in Pastel that won world-wide acclaim. There are two new episodes: Oil Portraits and Pastel Portraits on the series The Artist’s Workshop. He is noted for his exceptional ability to teach and to inspire artists of all levels.
Art Book Author
He authored and illustrated three art books. DeMille’s work was been featured in American Artist, Southwest Art, Art of the West, Western Painting Today, Contemporary Western Artists and Pastel Artist International. He taught workshops across the country and Canada and for 20 years at the prestigious Scottsdale Artists School.
Acclaimed Painter and Sculptor
Leslie B. DeMille (1927-2017), relative of the late movie director Cecil B. DeMille, was an internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor. A master portraitist for over 50 years, DeMille created commissioned bronze sculptures, paintings and limited edition prints for American statesmen and heroes, sports celebrities, corporate CEO’s, university presidents and entertainment personalities.
Sculptor to the White House
In 1988, DeMille presented a commissioned bronze sculpture, The Peacemakers, to President Ronald Reagan in the White House. The sculpture, commemorating the Summit Meeting and I.N.F. Treaty signing by the President and then USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev is now on permanent exhibit at the Reagan Library, Simi, California.
Artist of Champions
The ability of DeMille to capture the power and grace of professional athletes earned him the reputation “Artist of Champions.” He produced commissioned paintings for PGA tournament program covers and limited edition prints of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore and others. Mr. DeMille’s painting for the Senior Skins Game, Hawaii, 2000 (Palmer, Nicklaus, Player and Watson) was shown in an interview on international television during the tournament.
DeMille created the official painting for the program covers and limited edition prints for the 1996 Phoenix Open/Superbowl XXX, PGA Golf Tournament. In addition, to commemorate this special event, he was commissioned to create 350 bronze sculptures. Other bronze golf subjects include “Sam Snead” and two golfers entitled “Whatcha Think.”
Two new prints were completed in 2002: Palmer the Legend, 78″ X 44″, Giclee on stretched canvas, and Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, 24″ X 18″, Giclee on museum quality paper.