Welcome to JL Artworks, the online gallery of the oil paintings of Joe Lesinski.  Here you will find images of many of my paintings from 1993 to the present day, along with some background information on the subjects, primarily wildlife, and especially, my favorite subject to paint, eagles and other birds of prey.  Feel free to look around and enjoy my work.  All images contained within this site are copyright 1993 - 2009 Joe Lesinski and may not be used without permission.

raptor_painter@yahoo.com

(Artist's photo taken August 2008).  I have enjoyed art as a hobby for most of my life, taking after both my father and his father.  I started out drawing my own comics in grade and high school.  In 1991, I  became extremely fascinated by eagles.  I developed a deep connection to this awe-inspiring bird, began to save every eagle picture I could find, and drew eagles all the time.  (1991 must have been the "year of the eagle", because there seemed to be eagle pictures everywhere, from cigarette ads to billboards).  I did well in my studio art courses in my junior and senior years at St. Francis High School, where I earned letters for my artwork and was ultimately inducted into PAVAS (the Performing and Visual Arts Society).  Directly after high school, I began taking private lessons in oil painting from locally renowned oil painter Maryann Doering every Thursday morning.  I jumped right into painting birds, and from 1993-1996, painted mostly eagles, parrots, some local songbirds, and aquatic birds.  From the years of 1996-2001, I volunteered at Foxwood Wildlife Rescue, a local wildlife rehabilitation group, who specializes in foxes.  I became good friends with the founder, Elise Able, who reopened a childhood fascination I had with foxes, and taught me a great deal about them.  In being allowed to work so closely with them, I took many photographs, and from 1996-2001, foxes were a favorite subject of mine to paint.  My interests weren't limited to birds and foxes, however, and I also painted other subjects, although mostly animals.  

November 2009 -  I posted an image of my most recent painting, titled "Moonglow", which is my 3rd painting of a Harris' hawk.  It can be viewed on the page "More Birds of Prey".  I'm currently working on a commission for a co-worker of her dog, which I should finish very soon, and then I'll be starting a 12" x 16" fox painting, that I hope to finish before the end of the year.

I currently have 2 paintings on display at the Hamburg Public Library from 11/6/09 - 12/4/09 for the Centennial Art Center of Hamburg's fall show.  The paintings will be viewable during regular library hours.  My paintings are "The Overseer" and "Heather - Looking Right 2009".  Please stop by if you're in the area during November. 

www.a-portrait-place.com - Link to my father's website.  He specializes in portraits in oil, charcoal, and pastel.  He also does photography, and has created some very unique fairy pictures.

I wouldn't have reached the point I have without the help of certain people in my life.  Therefore, I would like to thank my parents and family for their support, Maryann, my oil painting teacher and mentor since 1993, who has really helped me to grow as an artist, the Thursday morning oil painting group for your encouragement, and Elise (www.foxwoodrehab.com) for letting me work so closely with all of her animals and teaching me a great deal about foxes.  Also special thanks to Hawk Creek Wildlife Center in East Aurora, NY (www.hawkcreek.org) for all that they do to help injured birds of prey and other animals, and for allowing the general public the chance to see these magnificent birds up close, helping to ensure these beautiful creatures are around for generations to come!  I highly recommend anyone in the area to attend their annual Wildlife and Renaissance Festival, held every year in July.

"Follow Your Bliss". - Joseph Campbell

© 1993 - 2009 Joseph J. Lesinski.   All Rights Reserved.