Leon Amyx (1908-1995) was a native Californian who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. For most of his life he lived, painted and taught in Salinas, California and in the surrounding areas of Monterey County. He was known for his Regionalist style of watercolor painting.

Leon’s career in art began at San Jose State College where he completed his BA degree in art in 1931. In 1941 he earned his MA in painting with Millard Sheets at Claremont College. In 1936 He became the first art instructor at Hartnell College in Salinas. He taught full time there until his retirement in 1972, and continued to teach part time at Hartnell until 1976. His courses included oil painting, watercolor, drawing, design, art history, and ceramics.

In addition to his four decades of teaching at Hartnell, he also taught courses at the University of the Pacific, San Jose State University, Sacramento State University and the Claremont Graduate School.

Leon was an inspiration to two generation of art students, many of whom went on to be successful in the arts fields. Students in his classes have included Wayne Thiebaud when Leon was teaching summer school at Sacramento State, as well as photorealist Ralph Goings and cartoonist Eldon Dedini at Hartnell College, both of whom spoke of Leon as an important mentor in their careers.

Leon Amyx’s work is represented by:

Amyx Studio, Morro Bay. CA

https://www.leonamyx.com/