Leo Carty grew up in Harlem, New York and started his artistic career at the age of 10. He received a scholarship to the Museum of Modern Art School for Children.
He later became a syndicated cartoonist and illustrator of African American children’s books. He also designed greeting cards.
Carty was born in Harlem and came to St. Croix in 1976 to live and paint. His impressionistic paintings adorn numerous public buildings throughout the Virgin Islands.
1. Value
Leo Carty was born in Harlem, New York in 1931 and became interested in art at an early age. He began drawing cartoons with chalk on sidewalks and at ten received a scholarship to attend the Museum of Modern Art School for Children in Manhattan. He also worked as a syndicated cartoonist and illustrator of African American children’s books.
When he moved to St. Croix in 1976, he started painting the daily life of West Indian people at work or playing or going to church. The paintings capture moments of history, such as water baptisms, playing the community band in the Emancipation Garden or weaving straw baskets. Many of his paintings are still being sold. A number of large works are hanging in Buccaneer Resort and the Alric L. Christian Federal Building and Court House in Orange Grove.
2. Size
Leo Carty is a venerable name in the world of art. Born in Harlem, New York on April 17, 1931, he received his first art lesson at age ten. He eventually moved to the Virgin Islands where he died in 2010. His paintings, which are often evocative of the island’s history, are on display across the archipelago. Known for his signature drip, splatter and pour painting techniques, Carty was also the official illustrator of Liberator, a leading Black publication at the time.
Our Leo Carty print of the day is a little more modest in size but still a sight to behold. Our version features the aforementioned octogonal tulip, the tiniest of the nine prints available from this talented artist. Its small size and fine details make it a perfect fit for your living room, bedroom or office space.
3. Availability
Leo Carty was an avid collector and artist and left behind some dazzling work. His painting of water baptisms, playing of the community band and weaving of straw baskets captured moments that no longer occur, or if they do, only sporadically.
The value of this collection owes much to the fact that he was a very generous donor and entrusted us with the best part of his estate. It has also allowed us to create a number of art scholarships in his name for students in the Virgin Islands who have demonstrated their commitment to the visual arts and who might be interested in pursuing a career in art.
It was an arduous task and required patience, but we are proud to have succeeded.
4. Style
Leo Carty, a Harlem native, was recognized at an early age as an artistic talent. He received a scholarship to the Museum of Modern Art School for Children at the age of 10.
His style is impressionistic, depicting West Indian people working or playing or going to church. His works adorn public buildings across the USVI.
He was the third African American artist to receive and complete a General Services Administration commission. A three-paneled mural he painted is in the Alric L. Christian Federal Building and Court House in Orange Grove.
His son Stefan Carty founded Carty Fine Arts Studios in 2020 in memory of his father. He recently worked with gallery owner Sonia Deane on a possible exhibit to honor his father’s legacy.
5. Price
Carty was born in Harlem, New York on April 17, 1931 and he became interested in art at a young age. He was ten years old when he received a scholarship to the Museum of Modern Art School for Children in New York City. In 1976, he moved to St. Croix and lived there until his death in 2010.
Carty’s impressionistic paintings often portray daily life, focusing on the Virgin Islands. He was an accomplished artist and his work adorns numerous public buildings throughout the island. His scenes of kids playing at the beach, women washing clothes and family spending time together are beautiful. They seem so pure and real! You can view more of his works at Carty Fine Arts, 24 Company Street, open noon-4pm Tuesday-Saturday.
