Leo Carty is known for his unique style and creative approach to painting. His work focuses on everyday life and incorporates history.
His impressionistic paintings adorn public buildings throughout the United States Virgin Islands. His subjects include West Indian people at work, play or church.
Watercolor prints
Watercolor painting is a classic art form that is celebrated for its transparent and layered appearance. It can be used to paint atmospheric landscapes, natural subjects and more.
Traditionally, watercolor artists use brushes to apply colored pigments to paper. This technique is unique to this medium as it requires the artist to make quick decisions and work with lightness of touch.
Carty's prints feature graceful figures in turn-of-the-20th century dress displayed in elegant compositions against historic buildings. His paintings also capture a variety of moments from the daily life of black people in the Virgin Islands at the turn of the century.
Leo Carty was an influential figure in the Virgin Islands' art community, having exhibited his works across the country. His signature style incorporated an early impressionistic design that he perfected over the years.
Lithographs
A lithograph is a unique type of print that traces its roots to the 18th century. Unlike other intaglio prints, lithographs use a stone or metal plate to create their negative image.
Lithographs are created in a way that requires a lot of skill and creativity. The technique involves using a greasy tool to draw on a prepared surface like bavarian limestone, and then quickly applying ink and water over the drawing.
Typically, lithographs are more expensive than other types of prints. They also have a higher level of exclusivity because they are usually numbered or signed by the artist.
To verify that a print is a lithograph, check for the paper and ink used, and for the artist’s signature or edition number. You can also look for signs of damage, such as tears or smudges, that can reduce their value.
Cartoons
Leo Carty was a famous artist who lived and worked in the Virgin Islands. He painted scenes of local people and church settings.
Carty also drew cartoons and created an array of colorful illustrations. His paintings were reminiscent of his New York City childhood.
During his life, he also published editorial cartoons for the Sainte-Croix Avis newspaper. He also illustrated eight African American children’s books.
While he was not the most popular cartoonist, Leo Carty’s works are still worth collecting. His cartoons are still considered to be among the best in their genre more than thirty years after they were created.
In his comic book TSTLBH, Carty portrays the Haitian revolution leader Toussaint L’Ouverture as a master diplomat who carefully forms a multiracial army. He demonstrates that they were able to win by capturing enemies and convincing them to join their cause.
Carty’s depiction of the Haitian Revolution legitimately counters three common tropes that trivialize the event and L’Ouverture’s aims. These include: a) the idea that Africans were savage barbarians, b) the notion that Blacks are inherently inferior to Whites, and c) the belief that they should be treated as subservient by their White counterparts.
Paintings
If you're a fan of Leo Carty, consider buying some prints of his work. They can be displayed in a variety of ways and are a great way to show your love for this artist.
Some artists make a special kind of print called a giclee. These are prints that are hand-embellished and signed by the artist, which increases their value.
These are different from photomechanical prints, which are just a digital reproduction of the original painting. In addition, some giclees are printed in a limited edition that limits the number of prints in the series.
If you're considering purchasing a giclee of a work by an artist, be sure to get an art appraisal from a professional. This can be expensive, but it's essential if you want to know the true value of the artwork. You may be surprised to find out how much the work can be worth. This is especially true if you're looking for an investment piece.