Leo Toye

I had always been drawing since very early childhood. In 1957 , I enrolled in a commercial Art course with the London Art College. This course had obvious limitations but nevertheless was of benefit as i was encouraged by the comments of my tutor; consequently gaining a sense of direction as to how I should proceed in order to become a painter.
I began to study the anatomy of the human figure and drawing from life. As regards to my study of anatomy, I used books which I received through Monaghan County Library in Clones.
However, Art materials were practically non-existant in Clones during the 1950's; nevertheless one shopkeeper informed me that she had a small box of oil paints for sale; and it was with this paint that I painted my first oil painting (1958) titled "˜Landscape with figure'.
However on having to find work, which I managed to do in a textile factory in Clones in 1959, my efforts at painting ceased; even though I still maintained my interest in reading about developments in Art. This interest continued during my years working as a supervisor in the textile factory; where I was also involved in various aspects of textile design. Then after getting married to Claire in 1966 I began to paint again.
My interest was to...

BA. HONS.LIT / ART HISTORY.

DETAILS ON MY WEBSITE: www.leotoye.com



ps.group exhibition ,CLINTON CENTRE.ENNISKILLEN,
CO.FERMANAGH. [AT PRESENT TIME]


At present I have a selection of paintings on display in The Ulster Canal Stores Gallery
in my hometown of Clones in Co.Monaghan.
Ireland.