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Leonard Kaplan, Artist/Art Collector
November 6, 2007
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
How wonderful to find this site! I lived in Laguna for 30 years. I worked for Lenny for several years and lived in the front apartment which was over his antique store. I don’t know if the store is still there? People used to call me the stripper because you would often find me in the back, with a large (or sometimes small) piece of furniture or art work. A hose to my right and whatever worked for ‘stripping’ furniture at that time, of several coats of paint which were then sold. I also framed many of his paintings. Sat with him several times when he had a model and painted alongside of him. No, I am not an artist. We had lots of fun times together. As I recall he had a bad back and drove him to the Doctor several times as he lay prone in the back of his station wagon. He did have a wonderful collection of Pre-Columbian pieces which he displayed on shelves overhead all around the room. How many wonderful memories this all brings back. Thank You…Leslie
Leslie, thank you for adding your memories of Leonard. Leonard’s store had been turned into a restaurant around the time I first met him (~1990). Around this time he had donated a substantial amount of pre-columbian art to a variety of museums.
Those where romantic times in my life… as I was just discovering my passion for photography and art. I met Leonard during the annual art auction at the Laguna Art Museum. It was at this event that he offered me an open invitation to visit his studio to view his personal art collection.