LEO KENNEY (1925–2001) was an American abstract painter, described by critics as a leading figure in the second generation of the 'Northwest School' of artists. Kenney remained a master colorist and technician among Northwest painters. However, injuries and alcohol greatly reduced his artistic output. His old friend and patron Merch Pease helped him reorder his health and his finances somewhat, and in 1996 the Port Angeles Fine Art Center mounted Leo Kenney: Geometrics, a showing of his work since the 1973 Seattle Art Museum show. In 2000 the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Washington presented Celebrating the Mysteries, a comprehensive overview of Kenney's 50-year career curated by Barbara Straker James.Though ailing, Kenney happily gabbed with guests and old friends for several hours at the exhibition's opening celebration.
