Biography:

Steve Leadenham was brought up in South Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and from an early age exhibited some natural artistic ability. His interest in art, especially drawing and painting, was fostered during his secondary education at Doncaster Grammar School. He was encouraged to undertake a number of short courses at Doncaster School of Art including mixed media and life drawing classes.

Steve pursued a career in the rail transport industry in Yorkshire and London during the 1970's finding time to produce the occasional painting. He married in 1980 and moved to Sydney, Australia.

In recent years Steve has found time to produce an increasing number of paintings many of which are in the possession of friends, acquaintances and collectors in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and the United States.

His association with the aviation photographer, Sam Chui, led to three paintings being displayed at the Airliners International 2003 convention in Columbus, Ohio in July that year.

In 2004 and 2006 Steve held successful solo exhibitions at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum at Longreach in Queensland. He also participated with a display at the inaugural Australian Flight Simulation Expo at Sydney Airport on Saturday 28 August 2004.

Four of Steve's paintings were published in a transport-themed calendar in the UK in 2005.

Steve joined fellow aviation artists Nikyla Amanda Smith and Juanita Franzi in a joint exhibition entitled "Aerial Artistry" held at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, Longreach from 3 June to 21 August 2005.

In January 2009 Steve was the winner of the prize for best oil painting at the "Art of Sydney" awards. He was runner up at Winmalee "Artfest" in May 2009 and received the People's Choice prize at the same exhibition.

Steve's work featured in the February 2009, Issue No: 71, of "Artist's Palette" magazine.

Steve is a member of the Nepean Art Society, the Macquarie Towns Art Society and the Australian Society of Aviation Artists.