Christopher Leeper graduated from Youngstown State University in 1988 with a BFA degree in graphic design. Since graduating, he has worked as a fine artist, illustrator and graphic designer. Since 2000, he has worked full-time from his studio in Canfield, Ohio.

He is a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University. In addition, he serves as president of the Ohio Watercolor Society.

His work has been exhibited throughout the country. Recent exhibitions include:
2009 - PaintAmerica Top 100 Exhibition, Topeka, KS
2008 - Watercolor Ohio 2008, Columbus, OH
2008 - Richeson 75 - Landscape Exhibition, Kimberly, WI
2008 - Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Aqueous Open Exhibition, Carnegie, PA
2008 - National Small Oils Exhibition. The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS
2008 - PaintAmerica Exhibition-Paint the Parks, St. Louis, MO
2008 - Kudos International, Online exhibit for Artshow.com
2008 - Salon International - Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2008 - Area Artist Exhibition, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
2007 - Solo Exhibition - Monroe Community College, Monroe, MI
2007 - Biennial Faculty Exhibition, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
2007 - Solo Exhibition, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
2007 - Watercolor Ohio 2007, Middletown, OH
2006 - Watercolor Ohio 2006, Oberlin, OH
2006 - American Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, New York, NY
2006 - Arts for the Parks, Top 100 Exhibition, Jackson, Wyoming

Awards include:
2008 - Arches Paper Award, Watercolor Ohio 2008, Columbus, OH
2008 - First Place (Watermedia), Richeson 75 - Landscape Exhibition, Kimberly, WI
2008 - Board Award, International Society of Acrylic Painters, On-line Exhibition
2008 - Jurors Choice, Salon International - Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2008 - First Place, Area Artist Exhibition, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
2007 - Award of Excellence, Watercolor Ohio 2007, Middletown, OH
2006 - Best in Show, Area Artist Regional, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
2006 - M. Graham Award, Watercolor Ohio 2006, Oberlin, OH
2005 - Best in Show, (Gold Medal), Watercolor Ohio 2005, Mansfield, OH
2004 - Best in Show, (Gold Medal), Watercolor Ohio 2004, Toledo, OH

Publications:
2002 - Illustrator: River Otter at Autumn Lane, Smithsonian Institution. In
2004 - Illustrator: Ema the Rhino, Norman the Lion and Jeshi the Gorilla,
African Wildlife Foundation.
2005 - Author: Realism in Watermedia, North Light, which was released in 2005.

He has contributed to a number of publications including:
How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint a Landscape and How Did You Paint That?
100 Ways to Paint Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes (International Artist)
Art From the Parks - 74 Artists Celebrate America’s National Parks, (North Light)
The Best of Landscape Painting (Rockport)
The Best of Acrylic Painting (Rockport)

His work has also been featured in The Artist’s Magazine and Watercolor Magic.

He is also the winner of the 1997 and 2003 Pennsylvania Trout/Salmon Stamp competition.