New Breck gallery features the work of humor artist Jeff Leedy

BRECKENRIDGE — It’s not cartooning, and it’s not traditional fine art -- it’s Art That Makes You Laugh.

Twenty-year humor artist Jeff Leedy said he named his business for what he creates.
Golfers, skiers and snowboarders, lawyers and accountants, animal lovers and foodies can find a joke that rings true in Leedy’s collection of oil pastels.

“It is very alive,” Leedy said. “My art just doesn’t shut up.”

A golfer taunts another golfer with hand gestures and jumping up and down in a piece called “Booga Booga,” while his snowsports work include skiers and snowboarders, the subjects of both pieces finding themselves in precarious high-altitude situations.

Leedy found his artistic expression after years illustrating for advertising.
“In ads, there’s almost as much BS as in politics,” Leedy said.

On the genre, he said, “Humor is a very small part of fine art. You put it on the wall and keep it there, you don’t put it on the refrigerator.”

The new Art on a Whim Gallery in the 100 block of north Main Street, Breckenridge, features 70 percent Leedy’s work, supplemented by the art of several local and regional artists.

Philadelphia residents Michael and Dena Raitman had wandered into Leedy’s two galleries four years ago in California where they ended up buying several pieces. More recently, as Michael looked to start up his own business, he again stumbled upon Leedy’s work. This time online where he found that Leedy was selling his Sausalito, Calif., gallery as a franchise.

The family didn’t want to move to California, but thought about opening the humorous art gallery in a resort town they liked — Breckenridge.

The Raitmans, including their son Brian who just finished college and works at the gallery, have now settled into a second home in Summit County.

The prices at the gallery reflect the values of the owners and the artist.
Prints start at $38 and limited editions range from $150-$300. There are more expensive originals, but according to Brian, “You have to look to find something over $1,000.”

“It’s priced for everybody,” Leedy said. “I didn’t feel appropriate making it elitist …. We’re talking humor here.”