I am enchanted by the female form and fascinated by fashion. Pencil is my medium of choice. Drawing is an honest and subtle medium that demands mastery. Oil painting allows me to revel in my favourite, colour triad of black, white and red.
I was born in Lincolnshire in 1959.
I did Art Foundation at Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Then returned to college as a mature student in 1981, gaining a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Exeter and a PGCE (Art & Design) from Brighton University in 1985.
I spent my student days in the life room following the traditional skills of classical life drawing and painting.
Some artists specialise in making life difficult for ourselves, my personal struggle is by choosing risqué and erotic subject matter.
I have always been enchanted by the female form and fascinated by female fashion.
A first monograph of my work, MUSE, The Art of Ray Leaning, was published by EPS in 2004.
Now working and living as a semi-recluse in Scotland with my main muse Carol.
I currently have work on show in London, Brighton, Edinburgh, Brussels, Barcelona and Copehagen and have exhibited in Miami, Toronto, Berlin, Amsterdam & London.