LEO DE SILVA was born in Singapore. While still at school he enrolled in an art course from the Famous Artists School in Connecticut. On completing his schooling at the Gan Eng Seng School he joined the Straits Times in 1960, as a rookie artist.

In 1975 Leo went on to sample other painting mediums like acrylics, batik and oils. He later went on to sculpture where he worked in marble, onyx, wood and eventually bronze sculpture casting. These dabblings led to various group exhibitions and finally in 1981 he had his first solo watercolour exhibition at the Mandarin Hotel in Singapore. This was soon followed by his second solo exhibition at the Raffles Hotel in 1982.

After 29 years in the Straits Times, and with his young family in tow, Leo migrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1989. Ever since his arrival in Melbourne, he has been a graphic artist with the Herald Sun. From 1990 in Melbourne, Leo ran watercolour classes for 4 years. He now paints full-time and works from his studio in Greenvale in Melbourne, Australia.

Leo’s love of nature is reflected in his paintings. In this day and age of stressful lifestyles his paintings are calming. His paintings are largely of his travels, done both on location as well as at his studio and are a great hit with interior decorators.

Leo’s paintings are in private and corporate collections in America, Australia, New Zealand, England, Singapore, Malaysia, Holland and Germany.