Jessica Leonard. Brotherhood, 2015. Oil on canvas, 24 × 48 in.
Brotherhood is about the part of racing most people do not see. These jockeys are waiting together at a trackside event before a race, each in their own colors but sharing the same space, nerves, and anticipation. I loved the rhythm created by the silks and the way their body language told the story without needing to show their faces.
Jessica Leonard. Halo, 2021. Oil on panel, 36 in. diameter.
Halo came from one of those quick, beautiful moments that can be easy to miss around horses. The light behind them caught the dust in the air and made everything feel almost magical. I used the circular panel to make the scene feel more immersive and to keep the focus on that glow.
Jessica Leonard. A Beautiful Distraction, 2020. Oil on linen, 16 × 20 in
A Beautiful Distraction began as a photo of my daughter waking me one morning in a bunny costume. While I was away from my girls for weeks, working on a large commission and missing them terribly, I took a break and made a small oil sketch of the photo it was a beautiful distraction from the grueling work and loneliness I was feeling. I returned to it later and allowed myself to go deeper. It is my heart on linen and, without question, my masterpiece.
Jessica Leonard. Unconditional, 2024. Oil on canvas, 24 × 24 in.
Unconditional is about the trust between a horse and the person caring for it. People often argue about cruelty in horse racing, and I understand that those questions are part of the sport. But when you are there and see the day-to-day care, love, and connection people have with these horses, it can be hard to reconcile that with the way the industry is sometimes portrayed. This jockey is patting her horse after a race.
Win or lose, the connection is unconditional.
Jessica Leonard. Diaphanous, 2022. Oil on linen, 40 × 30 in.
In Diaphanous, I wanted to see how much I could say with as little paint as possible. So much of this painting is about letting the linen do the work, using thin passages of oil almost as a whisper instead of covering the surface completely. The title means light, delicate, and translucent, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve.
The fact that the horse can be portrayed so minimally and still feel strong, graceful, and full of movement speaks to its power.