Dive Right In

I've come across several artists who paint underwater figurative scenes, but Anne Leone, who began painting them 30 years ago, is a master of the craft.

- Sarah Gianelli

1 Corazon de Paraiso #18, acrylic on linen, 48 x 112 in.

2 Cenote Azul #46, acrylic on linen, 38 x 28 in.

3 Cenote Azul #49, acrylic on linen, 60 x 40 in.

4 Corazon del Paraiso #17, acrylic on linen, 58 x 60 in.

She began exploring the motif when her daughter was born, wanting to create paintings that were very expressive and personal, yet universal. Swimming seemed to tick all the boxes. Back then, she also liked the metaphorical underpinnings of water as a symbol of life, emotion, the feminine, purity and transformation, concepts that resonated with her as a new mother.