Martin Leman RBS RWS

Martin Leman RBA RWS was born in 1934 in London. Martin attended art school in Worthing followed by National Service in Egypt after which he studied at The Central School of Art & Design, Holborn (now Central Saint Martins). 

For several years Martin Leman worked as a graphic designer and taught at Hornsey College of Art, London College of Printing and St Martins School of Art. The Portal Gallery, London gave Martin his first one man show in 1971 and he quickly acquired an international reputation. In 1979 the publication of ‘Comic & Curious Cats’, paintings by Martin, words by Angela Carter brought further acclaim and enabled him to become a full time painter. Since then he has had a further 28 books published and has exhibited constantly - both in one man shows and mixed exhibitions including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, The Discerning Eye, The Royal Society of Portrait Painters and The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition. 

In 2007 Martin was elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists and in 2010 a member of the Royal Watercolour Society. In addition to magnificently capturing the very essence of Cats, Martin is exploring the possibilities of still life and landscape, introducing beautiful pebbles and other found objects as well as the defining shapes and colours of flowers. Painting predominately in oils, Martin has a keen sense of design employing luscious colours and magical compositions making for stunning paintings with plenty to observe and enjoy. 

Martin is married to Jill Leman and they live and work from studios in their Islington home - an oasis of green and calm.