Over the past few years I have bought several pieces from David. He has exceptional artwork in his store, and has helped and advised me very well on building my own collection. He is easy to work with, flexible, and loves the art he sells. I highly recommend his gallery.
David is the best! Im new to Chicago and Wicker Park... wandered in the gallery one Sunday afternoon, left with a life-changing Howard Finster piece. He was super patient with my indecisive-self to make sure I got a piece I loved. David knows his stuff and has a story for everything. Plus he hand-delivered and installed the artwork for the reasonable price of a beer for his efforts. Will be back for more art!
Pop art Howard Finster, I Have done work at the Vision House, great selection of awesome art
The experience and service start to finish (education, selection, delivery, and installation) exceeded my expectations and left me with a greater appreciation and interest in art. Davids energy and passion is authentic and trustworthy. Hes just like the art, happy and fun to be around.
David Leonardis Gallery has been a part of my familys art appreciation regime for decades. David has hundreds of original, high-quality pieces on sale 365 days a year. He is a highly knowledgable dealer, not just on the artists he carries but on the overall realms of outsider, pop, folk, and other genres. You can find a piece for any occasion at the David Leonardis Gallery!
One of the better galleries out of the many in Chicago. I’ve walked past this place for years before finally deciding to check it out. If you love modern/contemporary art and bright and vibrant colors, this is the place to start or add to your collection. One day one painting may catch your eye, and another day something out of no where gets your attention. The walls are filled from floor to ceiling with beautiful pieces, originals and prints. And there’s stuff for all budgets. I got some smaller more affordable ones but also you can really go all out and get some giant masterpieces they have.David, the owner, is very polite and he really knows his art. You can ask him anything about the artists and he knows the answer right away. Definitely the type of person you want to deal with when buying art, especially if it’s your first time like mine.Highly recommend this place and I like to stop by often to see what’s new
I love the David Leonardis Gallery! Collecting art from him is such a joy. He offers all the art on the payment plan which is super convenient. He makes the whole experience fantastic and as a result I have a huge awesome Art Collection! Stop on in. Youll be glad you did!
I love my Wonder Woman! And I love this gallery. It has such a friendly and informal vibe. David took the time to personally hang the piece in my living room. Muah! Easy breezy done :)
So lucky to have walked by David Leonardis Gallery and stopped in. I thought it might be a quick visit to view some artwork while I was visiting Chicago and it turned into a learning experience and lovely afternoon. The artwork on display was captivating - especially the prints from the Reverend Howard Finster. I was enamored by the work, and the gallery owner, David Leonardis, shared so much detail about the artists work and life which was a huge part of the experience - I think we spoke for at least an hour. David has immense care and respect for the artists he represents at his gallery, and their work. And hes really sincere, which I appreciate. I fell in love with a piece and asked for it to be shipped. It can be worrisome purchasing original art to be shipped, but I had a good feeling about it and that turned out right. David kept in contact every step of the way about the art shipment, and the piece arrived in perfect shape, well packaged, and really quickly too. Now Im so happy to see this beautiful art in my house every day. Ill be stopping by the gallery next time Im in Chicago – even if Im not going to purchase art, at least to say hi. I recommend you do the same!
Just starting out looking at art, walked in not knowing much about DLG, David gave us a lot of his time while we learned about his gallery. His enthusiasm and taste are infectious, and we came away with some wonderful pieces. The cherry on top is David will come over to help place the pieces in our new home. The brews are awaiting you David! Looking forward to it, thanks DLG!
David has a wide variety of artwork in his gallery. We found a beautiful piece by a local artist, and David brought it to our house, helped us choose the perfect place to display it, and hung it up for us. We are very happy with it! David was nice, helpful, and informative throughout the whole process!
After living half a block away for 2 years I decided to check out the gallery, and I’m happy I did. David was very helpful and accommodating. I ending up buying a great piece and had to stop myself from getting a second the same night. He offers payment plans as well which is great for people who are trying to expand their art collection but can’t drop the full amount at once.
David Leonardis (David Leonardis Gallery 1346 N. Paulina St.Chicago, IL 60622) reached out to me after seeing my paintings on Instagram. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He gave me some expert advice on how to make my paintings gallery ready. He invited me to show at his gallery. I was (and still am) so ecstatic that a Chicago gallery owner saw something in my work! I am SO glad that I took him up on his generous offer. I have been selling numerous paintings through his expertise. He stays in constant contact and is doing right by me as an artist. He pays me quickly and always says Thank you! A gallery owner like David is a rare gem for an artist to have in their corner! I had the pleasure of visiting his awesome gallery this summer (while dropping off new paintings). I wish I lived closer, but get to Chicago twice a year to visit family. Its like it was meant to be! I look forward to a long relationship with Mr. Leonardis and his wonderful gallery! If you are in Chicago, visit. You wont be disappointed! SO much fantastic artwork! - Pamela Dietrich
We had a great first time visit at this gallery. David showed us around his place and provided excellent customer service! He packed our purchase well and it arrived in a timely manner. Were very satisfied customers and hes a nice guy to boot.
Not only is his collection vast and unpredictable, Leonardis has found a prominent artists that have affected niche and classical markets and brought them together under one roof.What may look happenstance is really apart of the integral design and charm of the gallery. The pop art is prominently displayed up front, some of the mid series blends sprinkled throughout and the personal lifestyle shrined on the “wall of vain” all communicate a sense of history, appreciate, and love for the pieces on sale.Stick around and you might even learn a thing or two!
I walked into David Leonardiss gallery the same way I usually walk into galleries - expecting to appreciate the art and wistfully imagine purchasing some of it but ultimately staying on the safe and frugal side. However after David greeted me and walked me through the stories behind nearly all the pieces, his energy combined with the energy of the art left me no choice but to make my first major investment into a piece of fine art. He was supremely thorough in his descriptions of the art and artists and overall very warm and encouraging (without being too pushy) about the deeply meaningful benefits of accumulating a collection of art to live with. The art he has collected is impressive and powerful and he is happy to come up with a payment plan to suit whatever your financial situation may be. He also offers to visit your space and provide an opinion as to where the piece will look best, which I thought was a unique and helpful touch. Long story short, the place was a great enough experience to push to me to start investing in powerful, meaningful artwork, and I am thrilled with my purchase.
What can I say about David Leonardis Gallery that hasnt already been said about a perfect day dream? full of color and intrigue, this exceptionally well curated gallery in Wicker Park promises to deliver quality, variety, and identity from Davids collection for many budgets and styles.Collecting this Peter Hurley could not have been a better experience. David even personally delivered the piece to my home and offered his expertise rethinking the overall design and philosophy of the preexisting arrangement. Also helped me hang a piece I did not purchase there, nice, and thanks again.I will definitely be back. Thank you for your devotion to art dealing and to making this gallery a lasting icon on Milwaukee Ave.
You can ignore Richard Walshs negative comments - no idea why hes so insecure in his harsh/rude response.Here nor there - I received great treatment and professionalism that was courteous and friendly. Professional installation available for those who have a shaky hand.We love the art we purchased and will continue to shop here down the road. Love this local spot.
I’m a fan of Donald Topp’s pop culture style which I discovered while visiting the The David Leonardis Gallery a few years ago. I recently contacted David to inquire about a Rolling Stones series by Topp. David had what I was looking for so I made the 50 mile trek to his gallery on my “day off” and purchased two Topp screen prints. David is a super nice guy. He’s passionate about his craft, the gallery is compact but full of life. On a side note, David reminds me of Javier Bardem. Thanks for everything, David.
Great art gallery and even better art dealer. David not only helped us to find / had the type art we were looking for (went to many places) but also gave a free consultation of our place when he delivered the piece. David provided great customer service, has a ton of knowledge/artistic eye, and also has a one of a kind personality. Going to the David Leonardis gallery is definitely an experience!
I love art galleries, but I often just look through the windows. I’ve had way too many gallery owners try to pressure-sell me something, or give me a dirty look when I say I’m only browsing. Regardless, I couldn’t help but go inside the David Leonardis Gallery last year. I had spotted a wall of art that I needed to see up close, so I ventured in. I was able to look around for a few minutes before the owner approached. I braced myself for the usual amount of attitude, but he was really cool! David is enthusiastic about the artists he represents and their work, but not at all pushy. I talked about the sort of art I like, and he was happy to show me different pieces to try and match my need. No glares when I passed on them. David is a really friendly guy and very knowledgeable about art. I’ve since been back a few times to peruse his inventory and to buy a few things. He has a lot of pop culture infused pieces I adore, but the art selection isn’t limited to just that. There’s something there for everyone. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to stop by this charming little gallery and see for yourself!
My wife and I were shopping for art for our new place. We checked out a few places including Davids.David really took the time to connect with us and ask what types of things we were looking for - and as first time art buyers we needed a bit of help.He spent quite a bit of time showing us a lot of art not on the walls, reaching deep into his collection.I came back a few weeks later to pick up my wifes favorite (Hipster Ariel)as a gift. David remembered me and we had a good time as we wrapped it up and he showed me what was new.As far as taste, everything was very cool. The art is a bit modern, and a bit pop. But Im no expert. What I do know is that I would recommend David to anyone looking for several pieces of unique art for their home.
I visited Davids gallery with just a few ideas for what I was looking for, and not much experience in collecting art. In a short period of time, I have learned so much and get a great deal of joy and energy out from growing my art collection. Davids expertise and perceptive skill set makes for an uncanny ability to match art to the collector. Id highly recommend visiting this gallery. Even if you come equipped with just a love for art, youll be surprised at what you walk away with!
This guy is a pitiful art dealer, I had stopped outside in the loading zone for a few seconds while I confirmed with a client their actual address (the address I received was for the gallery, but it turned out the client was at the Jewel nearby)... but he comes outside to my vehicle begging me to buy art and explaining about his starving children.I was about to pull away before he interrupted me... so in all his complaints about my vehicle blocking the art, I would have already been gone... and his delay caused further delay, by allowing traffic to build up beside me and preventing me from pulling away for several minutes longer.I personally thought many of the pieces in the window and online were very nice... but there isnt any way on earth Id ever go back in there and buy anything from someone like this jerk.Just buy directly from artists online, skip junkie art pushers like him.
The gallery is amazing, and David is an incredible host. I have been an art-collector for 30+ years, and two of my favorite pieces have come from this gallery - one by Howard Finster, the other by Donald Topp. Incredible stuff! David is the best kind of person to assist you in a gallery - he is as art-obsessed as possible, and LOVES everything that he displays on the (incredibly over-stuffed) walls. Passionate, friendly, and very eager to get art into your home. Recommended.
Bought a Donald Topp from DLG and absolutely love it! His energy is contagious, he has such a love for art and the artists he represents. I recently starting showing my own pieces at DLG and David has not only been a friend but a mentor for me. Buy art, its good for the soul!
All this dude cares about is the moola. If you dont have the money to buy anything, you are a non art buyer. Oh, and I was given the sage advice that my art is only worth what I pay for others art. So if I can only afford a $50 painting every now and then, the paintings I compose are only worth $50. Thanks, David, for your expertise on my art that you will never see. And thank you for commenting on my fashion choices. Because I chose to dress nicely on a night of celebration for myself, I was told that I should put more money into buying art than on my fancy clothes. Little do you know, Im in sweats 6 days out of 7, but nice assumptions. Major sexist vibes from this guy, man. Art is meant to be enjoyed, above all. Please dont ruin that and make it all about your opinions.Edit: David, hey man, Im not trying to bring anyone down. I felt pretty brought down when you told me those things at the gallery. It genuinely felt like you were trying to knock me down and attack my character, and that really hurt. Why do you think I rushed out of there?Ive noticed a theme in your replies to negative reviews; it appears that you like to skew the truth in order to get what you want. I remember guessing the prices of the paintings based on their sizes. You were being pushy when I told you I couldnt afford it. Hell, you followed us around the entire time, talking and talking, so we would buy something. All the feminism you preached was just an act, wasnt it? You try to make me feel small, as a woman and as an artist, but it wont work.No, I cant afford $800 paintings, but it doesnt mean I discredit their worth and the love put into them. Yes, I appreciate these paintings, as I couldnt stop staring at them, and it hurt me to have to leave them and the gallery so quickly. I live and breathe art, but you dont know that do you? Because you dont know me. You claim I dont have my own ideas, just because I comfort myself by saying Ill make my own, when I cant afford a painting at that moment in time. I, along with many artists, get INSPIRATION from others works. I can still remember those colors, and how well he applied such beautiful texture... I can make something just as great as the one I loved and couldnt afford, but it will be my own. You make such bold claims about people, but do you really try to understand first? Please, just step back and try to understand.
David was very accomodating and went through the extra effort to get my artpiece packed for shipping to Australia.
I loved my buying experience at David’s gallery. We happened upon the storefront when we took a quick walking detour with a friend to see his old house, and I was immediately drawn inside by the Donald Topp pieces on display. David was friendly, engaging, and happy to share information about the artist I was interested in. I had trouble deciding, but was really attached to the hipster Elphaba piece, so finally settled on that—with the intent to purchase a “companion” Dorothy piece, once the full-color limited series arrived from Donald Topp. David shipped Elphaba to our home in Cincinnati. The piece was beautifully framed and packed with great care. It wasn’t a cheap purchase, but so many things worth having aren’t! (I had actually been contemplating a designer purse purchase earlier in the day on Michigan Ave...so glad I chose to invest in artwork to be enjoyed for years to come, instead.) I so enjoyed my buying experience with David that I didn’t hesitate one bit to pull the trigger, when he called just a week later to tell me Dorothy had arrived! Again, packed with care and prompt shipping, beautifully framed. She and her wicked witch friend make quite the hipster duo on my living room wall. People absolutely love them. If you’re looking for something unique, wanting to start collecting (or to add to your collection), and at a cost that won’t break the bank, go see David!
Ive bought many pieces of original art from this gallery over the years. I highly recommend it.
This is an amazing gallery . Top top!
My friends and I are absolutely amazed that this gallery is still open taking into consideration that the owner is a boorish, uncouth, ill-mannered, uncivilized peasant who appears to enjoy yelling at people who displease him. Beware!
Ive gotten two pieces from David already and theyre always a hit. Not to mention, hes an awesome guy!
Where pop meets passion! David Leonardis is a Chicago treasure -- the art he collects and sells is arresting and the deals he will cut are awesome! If you want to be bored shop elsewhere! If you want real Chicago you have to visit the DLG.
DLG is the best art gallery I have ever been too. I moved here from October last year from Miami and DLG hooked me up with a custom install on my first purchase. Sense then, I’ve grown my collection by 10 fold. I will continue to use DLG for all my art purchases and art advice.
I love this gallery! So many amazing artists to choose from. Local and as far away as Italy. I cant go without falling in love with a new artists work. The owner David knows his artists well. Its nice to know personal details about the artist. David himself is an artist. I love the peice I have of his and the many otner artists he has introduced me to. I have a mini David Leonatdis Gallery in my home I love his happy customer photos. He makes you feel soecial from the time you walk in the door, to the time you walk out. Great fun guy!
Spotted this place on the way to jewel to deposit cash at tcf.Got caught up in jewel checking all the salt for ionization.Came out way later and was surprised the blue and red open sign was still lit up.Immediately I was drawn to the Howard Finster work.After the tour of the gallery and the background story of the artists I felt right at home.I couldn’t pass up not getting a piece the energy was just too good.I found more than just a product here, but a real passion and the stories to back it up.If your looking to find real art in this city this is a great place to startPlus the vip parking for buyers in front, i mean come’on how can you beat that
Basically told me to buy art or move on within my first 4mins in the store. No bueno bye bye
Great art.
Didnt enjoy my interaction with the guy. Was condescending.
The owner was extremely pushy and rude. He also made some questionable comments to my partner and I. Not sure if he is sexist or homophobic but perhaps both.
First but definitely not last buyer from David, great experience!