Leonard Kaplan, Artist/Art Collector

Leonard Kaplan, an artist and a collector, lived in a small Laguna Beach studio. His only company was his two Chihuahuas and a multitude of ancient art objects.

I documented an average evening in his home, in natural light. I arrived as the sun was setting and captured these moments with slow shutter speeds and my trusty 50mm lens. (January 1995)

I was greeted at an open gate by gargoyle-like mad dogs barking their heads off.

Leonard made himself a modest meal and then lit up a corn cob pipe.

He encouraged me to experience the depth of history portrayed within the many Pre-Columbian sculpures in his home.

In a dark corner his house mates were licking each other.

His life was full of objects and stories. Even an old chair in his workspace shimmered with mystery.

Leonard Kaplan was born January 15, 1922 in New York City, New York. He won a scholarship in 1940 to study at the Art Student’s League under Reginald Marsh and William Palmer. He also won an art scholarship to New York University Academy of Allied Arts in the late 1930’s. At 15, Leonard went to study art at the Henry Street Settlement House where he befriended many of the era’s influential artists. (from AskArt.com, the Artists Bluebook.)

Leonard Kaplan
860 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-2478
Visual Artist: Painting,
drawing and mixed media

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