Art Spy: Mary Ann Leff, pearls before realtors, paintings in Piedmont

Art Spy’s alter ego was invited to a cocktail and art reception at the only real estate office in the City of Piedmont this afternoon

So, of course, I went. Partially thinking I could perhaps gain some additional information about the real estate market in the area without having to hear a pitch from an agent but really to see what the buzz was all about.

On deck at The Highland Partners Office in Piedmont are the colorful abstracts of Painter Mary Ann Leff. The show will be up at 342 Highland Avenue in Piedmont throughout the holidays so definitely try to go by and check it out. Highland Partners office hours are 9am through 5pm daily.

Art Spy immediately located the artiste and began asking inane questions in an effort to cut her out of a crowd of admiring people. Once the crowd had dissipated and I had her alone my questioning became more pointed and hopefully intelligent.

Mary Ann is a Berkeley resident with an MFA from Carnegie Mellon with a focus on painting. She has been painting “forever” and though she has a daytime gig, identifies as an artist. I always choose to point out this important fact because when someone identifies themselves as an artist it is impossible to keep art from influencing everything in their lives.

Mary Ann creates using acrylics and oil sticks, oil paint in a solid form, on canvas. Her color is bold and immediately draws the eye but her use of line and form and texture really holds the imagination and deserves closer inspection.

The art aficionado will see some of Diebenkorn in her palette, Richter in her composition and texture, but Leff leaves a distinct impression with her abstracts that is all her own.

Her art is available to purchase through William Torphy Fine Arts and runs from between $700 for a 16x16 to $3000 for her larger canvases. Please contact William Torphy at William@torphyart.com or 510-222-8215 for inquiries.

For those looking to learn more about the artist check out her website at www.leff-art.com.

Remember art is alive and thriving in Alameda County. Have a tip for Art Spy please send to artspy510@gmail.com I will bring art to light.