A bright light has gone out in the art world. Mel Leipzig, painter, professor, supporter and humble human passed away recently at the age of 90.
He painted large canvases of people he knew, in their natural settings of home and work. Mel Leipzig has won many accolades, is in many museum collections and has painted nearly everyone he has ever met. He was a professor of art at Mercer County Community College for 45 years, retiring at the age of 78.
I have asked local artists and former students of Mel’s to share some memories. Using these memories is just a peek into the knowledge, work ethic and enthusiasm that Mel has endowed us with.
I studied with Mel at Mercer longer than most, as I was attending part time at night and it took 10 years for me to get a two year degree in Fine Arts. Mel was my adviser, mentor, critic, and friend.
One day around year three, I brought Mel a newly finished painting of mine for him to critique. Mel said, “This is terrific. You do not need to show me your paintings anymore. You know what you are doing. Just keep doing it!”
I walked out of that room feeling 10 feet tall. Mel had a way of encouraging artists to keep going, keep the faith and keep working at their art.
Maria Raimondo, artist, art educator, Robbinsville
Mel Leipzig taught me that art is not only about what we create, but how we see the world.
His belief in me gave me the courage to explore, to take risks, and to find my voice through my work. He saw potential when I doubted myself and reminded me that creativity is an act of faith— faith in the process, in imperfection, and in possibility. His encouragement and wisdom will always guide me, both in art and in life.
Sean Carney, artist, art educator, Robbinsville
I had the pleasure of meeting Mel in the mid-2000s. He had been selected as the artist in residence at Lawrence High School, where I work. This continued for four years.
During that time, Mel created a series of paintings of our classrooms, students, and staff. I had the honor of being painted twice, along with my children. I often cite him as one of my biggest influences. He was kind, passionate, and incredibly intelligent.
Kathi Littwin, artist, photography, New York
Mel was a great teacher, no bones about it. I had the great privilege to also be one of the students he hired as a model. What a treat to see myself immortalized.
It was also a chance to see a beautiful painting develop over time, how the composition came about and then the final impactful result. I do wish I knew where that painting ended up.
He was adamant about the fact that he painted from nature and had a dislike of photography, but he never held it against me. His interest and support were always there.
Aundreta Wright, artist, art educator, Hamilton
Mel would tell me, “Aundreta, you should be painting every day!” I told him I have three kids and am working two jobs. He said, “Ah, you should be painting every day anyway!” I said, “You have Mary Jo (Mel’s wife, who died in 2007) at home. At my house, I am also Mary Jo.”
Pat Proniewski, artist, Hamilton
Mel inspired his students with countless thoughts about appreciating and creating art. Two things that quickly come to mind which he often said are:
• Everything is paintable. Every subject. Nothing is off limits. Paint what is meaningful or interesting to you.
• You only need four colors (later Mel said maybe five colors). They are yellow, a dark cool red, a dark blue, and white. Later, Mel added black.
Kristi Zoldi, artist, designer, Hamilton
I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the “legend” Mel Leipzig as my art history professor at MCCC. Mel filled the lecture hall with the type of passion that only comes from a subject you love.
Mel taught me to love art history, but also, that I could feel connected to a subject and actually be interested in absorbing the material. I will always be grateful for Mel enabling me to look like an absolute genius to my family and friends when we visited Giverny, Monet’s Garden in France. Thank you, Mel Leipzig!
M. Kitty Getlik, artistic director and manager of Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor
When Mel told me he wanted to paint Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, I thought, “How boring. There are 385 identical red chairs.” But I don’t have an artist’s eyes.
As I watched him paint, I saw each chair come alive individually. Differences in light and shadow made each one unique. Then he asked me to pose to be in the painting, in the position I usually stand in when a show is going on. I was honored to be his model, and he even insisted on paying me a modeling fee. I framed that check.
Jonathan Connor (Lank), artist, art educator, Trenton
Mel taught me many things about art and life, all of which I try to carry forward. Technically, he showed how the great paintings were structured and held together through strong composition. Personally, he showed what it meant to be a kind and generous person who cared for their family, students and community.
Greg Ludwig, artist, photographer, Ewing
I took several courses with Mel, including multiple painting classes and art history. I took AP art courses in high school, but Mel’s was the first course I took where I could tell I was learning from a master.
His ability to work with a limited palette was extraordinary. Mel almost never used white, black or secondary colors. I went on to become a photographer (which he always gave me heck for), but I knew he still cared and was happy to see his students pursue their passions.
Lucas Kelly, artist, art educator, Bordentown
Mel taught me many things as a student, but one lesson I still hear in his voice (while watching him point at a slightly yellowed slide of Manet’s “Olympia”) is: “If that black ribbon wasn’t there, this painting would not work.”
Later, as a young professor, I learned from him that building confidence is just as essential as building skill. Mel celebrated every student’s effort with genuine enthusiasm, creating a supportive community of practice in all his classes.
Chee Bravo, artist, Miami
“Be persistent and never doubt your ability as an artist.” Mel was my neighbor when I lived in Trenton. In 2024, he painted a diptych of me for his artists’ series. During the painting sessions, he shared many of his wonderful stories.
His Yale story about his strained relationship with his professor Josef Albers and his color-theory teachings comes to mind. This he found hilarious every time he told me that story.
Khalilah Sabree, artist, art educator, Columbus
As a Trenton-based artist and retired art teacher, I considered Mel my informal master teacher. Passionate, direct and generous, he spoke honestly about the complexities of race and representation in art.
When Mel painted my son and me, he shared lessons that still guide me: to see deeply, feel honestly and to remember that a painting should invite you in, that you should sense that you can step inside it. His wisdom lives on.
Leon Rainbow, artist, Trenton
In 2018, I was honored to do a two-person show, “Leon and Mel” at Lakefront Gallery at RWJ Hospital in Hamilton. It was one of the best memories that I had with Mel, and it was amazing to see the community support that we received.
It was inspiring for me to work with Mel, and that we could learn from each other.
Dan Hodgkinson, artist, Roebling
Mel showed me how to paint the world with my eyes and to observe through different color values. Through his love of art, he made each student feel the world was full of possibilities. Because of his excitement, all of us would experience the expression of our own true art.
Ilene Dube, artist, writer, maker, Princeton Junction
After leaving the Princeton Packet newspaper, I suddenly had the time to take a class with Mel at MCCC. Once there, I learned that his students signed up for his classes year after year after year. One student who’d been taking his class for 30 years lived to be 100. Clearly, taking Mel’s class was part of her secret to longevity.
I first met him about 35 years ago, when he spoke so compassionately at the funeral of artist Jim Colavita. He was not afraid to cry in public. I was lucky to interview him many times, and to curate exhibitions with his work.
Janet Purcell, artist, writer, Hopewell
I have so many Mel stories, but most are long and involved. One is from when the Trenton City Museum gave me a solo exhibit in 2019 in the first room on the right when you enter.
I told Mel that I was so happy when I heard he was exhibiting in the other two rooms, because that would bring people to the museum. Sweet man that he was, he said: “Funny you should say that, I was thinking the same thing about you.”
Addison Vincent, artist, creative director, Artworks Trenton
Although I never had Mel as a professor, I learned so much from him in a different capacity. The consummate teacher, Mel’s words of wisdom always echo in my head. He taught me to be passionate about whatever I’m doing, whether it was art, relationships with others, or just thinking. Mel taught people to realize they were creative, you just need to find your medium.
Aubrey J. Kauffman, artist, photographer, Ewing
I am not a painter. I’m a photographer. Mel once saw us photographers a as point of some polite ribbing whenever we were in a gathering. ‘Oh, you did all this in one day.’ But it was a relationship that grew and grew.
Mel convinced me that I needed a masters degree. Grad school opened a whole new world for me. Mel noticed it in my work. He was always a great artist, mentor, dinner guest and friend who cared about the things that mattered. I will miss him.
Rebecca Singleton, artist, art educator, Hamilton
In ceramics, Mel said: “Rebecca, stop playing with dishes and come paint!”
Mel revealed art as a community, planning class trips and artist lectures. I feel comfortable in galleries because of him. Mel quotes: “Art is meant to be seen”; “I never met a starving artist”; and “Just paint.”
While lecturing at Art All Night, he spontaneously shared: “Maybe I can stay to paint” … scanning the crowd…”Rebecca! You’ll pose for me!” It wasn’t a question.
Mary Yess, artist, Hamilton
As a painter, I was fascinated with his demos, particularly the Manet one, and with his open, joyful enthusiasm for painting. He was a kind, generous, and oh-so-supportive person; but also wasn’t shy about making a few piquant comments about certain media or genres. My best experiences came from working with him on the massive “Eyes on Trenton” project (1981-82), which, in Mel’s own words, was “terrific.” And, simply put, so was Mel.
David Orban, artist, Hamilton
I learned all about composition from Mel; how to construct a visual ‘map’ that would use shape, color, tone, and negative space to guide the viewer into and through the painting.
But the most important thing that I got from Mel was encouragement… and lots of it! Mel was the greatest cheerleader ever, and while I took direct inspiration from his work as a painter, I tried very hard to emulate that “cheerleader” aspect during my teaching years.
Jim Gordon, artist, supporter of the arts, patron, Trenton
My takeaway from Mel Leipzig is: keep painting and be kind.