Leon Collins Art
American, b. 1930
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown Leon Collins (Texas Artist)
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown “The inspiration comes from my great, great grandmother...the will comes from God.”
Leon Collins was born in Galveston. At the age of four, he was sent to live with relatives in Baton Rouge. At eight he moved to Beverly Hills, California to live with his mother. Each summer he was sent to Brazoria, Texas to stay with his great-great-grandmother, “Big Mama.”
“Big Mama,” who lived to be 114, told him stories which he recorded in his Big Chief notebook. When Leon’s mother passed away, Leon moved from California to Texas where his mother’s sister lived.
“If God gives me my sight back, I’m going to start painting again.”
For two years Leon’s daughter Molly Bee was his caretaker when he was afflicted by brain cancer in 2005. In 2007, his sight returned. He kept his promise to God.
Before returning to his art, Leon spent time as a picker of antiques. One antique store saw some of Molly Bee’s paintings and quickly sold them at his shop. Both Leon and Molly Bee were quickly in the art business. Word of their “folk” art quickly spread. Their paintings hang from coast to coast. Recently Rice University recognized their art with the exhibit "The Color of Life."
Of his artwork, Leon Collins said: "Ninety percent of my work comes from God and Big Mama.”
Leon’s and Molly Bee’s Updates: Leon and Molly Bee Collins have exhibited at the Main St. Fort Worth Arts festival.
That opening is special for two reasons. This was a father / daughter exhibition, and this is their first show in an art gallery. The Texas artist’s work is from their hearts and imaginations. Neither is trained as an artist, instead their paintings are "recollections” of stories, events, places, characters and ideas brought to life in brilliant color. Information for the Festival read: "Leon’s need to paint came about because of an “unusual life situation. "One morning Leon lost the ability to speak and his sight. For two years he lived in darkness and fear. He never lost his faith though. Miraculously both returned at the same time. It was at that moment he decided to paint “to keep the darkness away.” His daughter, Molly Bee, encouraged him to paint his poetry and that is why she is the light of his life.
Molly Bee acquired her nickname at the age of two. Named after Leon’s great-great grandmother’s sister, the first Molly Bee lived to be 119 and died in 1970. Her first memory was of seeing her parents chained together at a slave auction. She lived a rich, full life that she shared with Leon. It was these stories that Molly Bee began to paint in her own style at the age of nine. Source:
"Leon Collins," Old Art Guy,
______
Leon Collins does a kind of folky-edgy/borderline unsettling art and cannot keep his work in stock.to
2
17
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
4
15
1
11
14
5
14
14
9
6
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
19
14
5
5
19
10,222
2,785
2,504
1,384
2
18
19
Artist: Leon Collins
"The Guitarist" by Leon Collins Black Texas Folk Artist deceased 2025
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"The Guitarist"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown-Died 2025
"The in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"First American" Native Indian Black Folk Artist Leon Collins died 2025
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"First American" Native American Indian
Leon Collins
Birthda...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"CHURCH" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
2024
"Church"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"TARNADO COMING" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 12 X 29.5
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 11 x 28.5
Frame Size: 12 x 29.5
Medium: Oil on Board
2024
"Tarnado Coming"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown Died ...
Category
2010s Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"MOTHER AND DAUGHTER" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 38 x 26 AFRICAN AMERICAN
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 38 x 26
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"Mother and Daughter"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"HUNTING DOG" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 24 X 36
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 23 x 35
Frame Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Oil on Board
"Hunting Dog"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"WOMAN AND CHILD" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
2024
"Woman and Child"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration ...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"MISSION IN TEXAS" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 22 x 34
Frame Size: Unframed
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dated 2025
"Mission in Texas"
Leon Collins Birthda...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"Mamas Shock" African American Black Folk Artist LEON COLLINS OF TEXAS
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Born Galveston Texas Artist
Image Size: 28 x 21.75
Medium: Oil "Mama's Shock"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Te...
Category
1970s Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"BULL AND BIRD" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Bull and Bird"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"THE GUITARIST" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"The Guitarist"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"New Mexico" Leon Collins. Black Texas Folk Artist (Deceased 2025)
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"New Mexico" Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown-Died 2025
"The inspir...
Category
2010s Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"Blue Bull" Painted by Black Texas Folk Artist Leon Collins deceased 2025
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Blue Bull"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown-Died 2025
"The in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"Austin, Texas" UT Tower University of Texas. Black Folk Artist Leon Collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Austin, Texas" UT Tower
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown-Died...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"The Alamo" #2. Black Folk Artist Leon Collins. (Deceased 2025) Texas Artist
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"The Alamo" #2
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown-Died 2025
"The ins...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"WILD DOG" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Wild Dog"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes from m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"Sunflowers" After Van Gogh Black Texas Folk Artist Leon Collins deceased 2025
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown, died 2025
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Giclee
"Sunflowers" After Van Gogh
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown-D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"ALAMO" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Alamo"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes from my g...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"GOLFING" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Golfing"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration comes from my...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
Related Items
Interieur - Effet de Lampe - Impressionist Interior Oil by Edouard Cortes
By Édouard Leon Cortès
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed figures in interior oil on canvas circa 1920 by sought after French impressionist painter Edouard Leon Cortes. This charming and nostalgic work depicts a family in a typical Breton kitchen scene. An elderly lady is seated at the table with her back to the artist and a young girl also sits at the table beside a bowl of oranges and a carafe of red wine. Another lady stands at the table under the light of the lamp.
Signature:
Signed lower right
Dimensions:
Framed: 29.5"x34"
Unframed: 21.5"x26"
Provenance:
Salon des Independants - 1922 exhibition
Galleries Maurice Sternberg - Chicago
Original artists label with title and number "9" on the reverse.
Edouard Leon Cortes, the son of the painter Antonio Cortès, was sent to the front during World War I to sketch enemy positions. In civilian life, his base was in Lagny in the former studio of Cavallo-Peduzzi. Although he travelled extensively in France. Notably in Normandy, Brittany, the Champagne region and Savoy painting...
Category
1920s Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Porch People" - Figurative Composition in Oil on Linen
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold composition of two people on a porch by Majel McHugh Logan (American, 1916-1982). Two people sit facing each other on a porch, backlit by warm sun. The piece is sketchy but confident, with thick brushstrokes adding high contrast shadows and highlights. Although the subjects' faces are undefined, there is nonetheless an expressive quality in their body language.
Signed "Majel Logan" in the lower right corner.\
Artist's tag on verso with title.
Presented in a wood frame with a gold accent.
Frame size: 14.75"H x 16.75"W
Canvas size: 14"H x 16"W
Majel Logan (nee McHugh) (American, 1916-1982) was born in Utah. After graduation from St. Mary of the Wasatch College in Utah, she studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She continued to study at Idaho State University before eventually settling in Santa Clara, CA. Although she was a professional artist at the time, she nonetheless continued her studies at San Jose State University in the 1970s.
By the mid-70s, she had won 43 awards in state, regional, and local competitions, including Fiesta des Artes (Los Gatos...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Linen, Oil
$850
H 14.75 in W 16.75 in D 1.5 in
Daisies by the Back Door - Farm Landscape with Flowers in Oil on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Calm farm scene of a bucket filled with daisies by an unknown artist (20th Century). In the background a brick barn has a door open, with weeds and plants growing in front of it. A p...
Category
Late 20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$550
H 26.25 in W 22.25 in D 1.25 in
Basking in the Sun - Mid Century Modern Multicolor Female Figurative
By Jon Blanchette
Located in Soquel, CA
Multi-colored figurative oil painting of a woman in bikini bathing in the California sun by listed California artist Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). The colorful background is...
Category
1950s American Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
$1,800
H 20 in W 24 in D 1 in
Riders, the autumn meet: equestrian oil by famed French aristocrat and horseman
Located in Norwich, GB
A rare 19th-century oil by the aristocratic painter and distinguished collector, Count Charles Gaston Esmangart de Bournonville de Saint-Maurice. It depicts an equestrian gathering ...
Category
1880s Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$3,660
H 17.33 in W 22.84 in D 1.58 in
Artist at the Easel
Located in Soquel, CA
Sketchy and expressive depiction of an artist painting at an easel by an unknown artist (20th Century). Dresses in a white smock, an artist works at an easel. The background is parti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Illustration Board, Oil
Fine British Horse Racing Oil Painting
Steeple Chase
signed and dated 1970
By Eric Goddard
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Clearing the Fence
by Eric Goddard, British 20th century
signed and dated 1970
oil painting on board, framed
Measurements 34 x 44 cm, frame 46 x 56 cm
Condition: very good
provenanc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
$1,530 Sale Price
20% Off
H 18.12 in W 22.05 in D 1.97 in
Pair of early 20th Century British Impressionist paintings of the beach
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Attributed to Rowland Wheelwright, 20th Century
'Bather's on the shore' and 'Sunbathing by the Cliffs'
Oil on canvas board
9 X 10. 1/4in. (22.8 X 2...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Board
$2,527
H 9 in W 10.25 in D 1 in
French Impressionist Signed Oil Sheep
Dog in Windswept Fields, framed
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Sheep Dog
French, mid 20th century
signed oil painting on canvas, framed
framed: 21 x 31 inches
canvas: 20 x 30 inches
provenance: private collection, France
condition: overall...
Category
Mid-20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
$8,197 Sale Price
20% Off
H 26 in W 34 in
“Boats Resting, Nantucket, 1940” American Impressionist Harbor Scene Wharf Oil
By Emily Hoffmeier
Located in Yardley, PA
“Boats Resting, Nantucket, 1940” by Emily L. Hoffmeier (American, 1888-1952)
A lovely depiction of a serene harbor scene by the important Nantucket painter and founding member of th...
Category
1940s American Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil, Board
$4,750
H 15.25 in W 19.25 in D 1.5 in
“Impressionist Landscape, c. 1915-1920” California Forest American Impressionist
By Francis Stillwell Dixon
Located in Yardley, PA
“Impressionist Landscape, c. 1915-1920” by Francis Stillwell Dixon (American, 1879-1967).
One of Dixon’s finest canvases, depicting a tranquil forest scene bathed in soft, dappled l...
Category
Early 20th Century American Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
George Boyle Impressionist oil painting, Barbizon School of cows grazing
Located in Harkstead, GB
A superb example of a Barbizon inspired landscape painted by the "Catford Corot" from the late 19th Century. This very striking image shows the artist at the absolute peak of his abi...
Category
Late 19th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
$2,186 Sale Price
20% Off
H 10 in W 14 in D 2 in
Previously Available Items
"VISION IN MY MIND BIG MAMA" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon collins
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Unframed.
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
"Vision in my Mind Big Mama"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
"BAYOU BEND" BLACK FOLK ARTIST Leon Collins Ima Hogg. Houston Texas
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 24 x 36
Frame Size: 29 x 41
Medium: Acrylic
"Bayou Bend"
Leon Collins Birthdate Unknown
"The inspiration ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
H 24 in W 36 in D 3 in
"SIGN OF PEACE" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ARTIST PEACH PIPE
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
2024
"Sign of Peace"
Leon Collins
Birthdate Unknown
Galveston / Navasot...
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"THE MUSICIAN" BLACK FOLK ART
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 36 x 24
Medium: Oil on Canvas
"The Musician"
Category
20th Century Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"WILD DREAM" TEXAS BLACK FOLK ART FRAMED 70.25 X 50.25
By Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Leon Collins
(Born 1930)
Galveston / Navasota Texas Artist
Image Size: 64 x 44
Frame Size: 70.25 x 50.25
Medium: Oil on Wood Panel
"Wild Dream"
*Painting has crackular throughout
Leo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Leon Collins Art
Materials
Oil
"TRe089 BigRD" Black and Multicolor Painting of Four Women with Baskets
By Leon Collins
Located in Houston, TX
The painting incorporates a colorful abstract depiction of four women with baskets on their heads on a black canvas background. Each woman is adorned in multicolored clothing that reveals each of the artist's brushstrokes. Signed and titled by the artist on the back of the canvas and is in good condition.
Artist Biography:
Leon Collins was born in Galveston. At the age of four, he was sent to live with relatives in Baton Rouge. At eight he moved to Beverly Hills, California to live with his mother. Each summer he was sent to Brazoria, Texas to stay with his great-great-grandmother, “Big Mama.”
“Big Mama,” who lived to be 114, told him stories which he recorded in his Big Chief notebook. When Leon’s mother passed away, Leon moved from California to Navasota, Texas where his mother’s sister lived.
“If God gives me my sight back, I’m going to start painting again.”
For two years Leon’s daughter Molly Bee was his caretaker when he was afflicted by brain cancer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Leon Collins Art
Materials
Acrylic
H 48 in W 60 in D 1.5 in
Leon Collins art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Leon Collins art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Leon Collins in oil paint, paint and more. Not every interior allows for large Leon Collins art, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Johnny Banks, Robert Sellers, and Therese James. Leon Collins art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,400 and tops out at $1,400, while the average work can sell for $1,400.









