About The Author
About The Author
Tricia Poulos Leonard
Full name: Tricia Poulos Leonard
Occupation: Artist | Author | Art Educator | Creative Mentor
Nationality: US
Genres: Fine Arts | Visual Arts
Years active: 20+
Always focused on becoming an artist, Tricia spent her early years doing art for school events, school district Christmas cards and entering every art related competition she could find. One of her most memorable accomplishments was winning an award in a school floral competition by creating a bouquet from the weeds she found near her home. This win made her feel that she could create beauty from any thing.
After graduating from high school in California,Tricia was accepted and enrolled at UCLA. Her father supported her decision to major in art, with the warning, “When you finish your education, you will need to be able to support yourself”. This statement led her to pursue education as well as art classes. When graduated and married, she continued to work at her art, winning numerous local, regional, and national awards, but not making enough to live on. She soon realized that while she had been schooled in art skills, she was not educated in how to make a living from art. She pursued a teaching credential and started a career in teaching art. She added credentials in counseling and administration over the next few years. She was a high school counselor for 18 years and a middle school administrator for 9 more years, but during this time she still yearned to earn her living as an artist.
From her earliest memories, Tricia Poulos Leonard has been guided by a deep and unwavering commitment to creativity. As a professional artist, art educator, and author, her life’s work reflects a powerful belief: that art is not only a form of expression, but a pathway to purpose, resilience, and success. Her journey—from a young student discovering beauty in unexpected places to a nationally recognized artist and mentor—has shaped her mission to help artists thrive creatively and professionally.
Early Creative Roots and Artistic Vision
Always focused on becoming an artist, Tricia spent her formative years immersed in creative pursuits. She created artwork for school events, designed Christmas cards for her school district, and eagerly entered every art-related competition she could find. One particularly defining moment came early in her life when she won an award in a school floral competition—after crafting a bouquet entirely from weeds found near her home. That experience solidified a philosophy that continues to guide her work today: beauty can be created from anything, when seen through an artist’s eye.
This belief became the foundation of her creative vision, influencing her approach to fine art, watercolor painting, and later, art coaching and mentorship. Even as a young student, Tricia demonstrated not only artistic skill but also an intuitive understanding of creativity as transformation.
Education, UCLA, and the Balance Between Art and Practicality
After graduating from high school in California, Tricia was accepted to and enrolled at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). With the encouragement of her father—paired with the practical advice that she would need to support herself—she pursued a major in art while also preparing for a sustainable career path. This balance between passion and practicality would later become a central theme in her teaching and writing.
Following graduation and marriage, Tricia continued to dedicate herself to her art. She earned numerous local, regional, and national art awards, gaining recognition for her talent and craftsmanship. However, despite this success, she faced a challenge common to many artists: artistic achievement did not automatically translate into financial sustainability.
A Career in Education and Counseling
Recognizing the gap between artistic skill and art business knowledge, Tricia pursued a teaching credential and launched a long and impactful career in education. She went on to earn additional credentials in counseling and administration, expanding her ability to support students holistically.
Over the next several decades, she served as a high school counselor for 18 years and a middle school administrator for nine years. Throughout this period, she worked closely with students, parents, and educators—developing deep insight into human behavior, motivation, and personal growth. While her professional life flourished, her desire to earn her living as an independent artist never faded.
Transition to a Full-Time Art Career
Determined to bridge the gap between creativity and sustainability, Tricia began an intensive period of study focused on creativity, art marketing, and running a successful art business. She immersed herself in books, workshops, and practical application—treating her art career with the same strategic intention she had brought to education.
The results were transformative. Within one year of focused effort, she held a one-person art show and sold the majority of her work. For Tricia, this success was proof that artists can thrive financially when creativity is paired with strategy, consistency, and mindset.
Author of The Artist’s Map to Success
Inspired by her own journey, Tricia felt called to share what she had learned with other creatives. In 2020, she published the first edition of her book, The Artist’s Map to Success, a practical and empowering guide designed to help artists navigate the often confusing path from passion to profession.
The book quickly became a valuable resource for emerging artists, mid-career creatives, and anyone seeking clarity on art marketing, career development, and creative confidence. Continuing her commitment to lifelong learning, Tricia expanded and refined her insights, releasing a second edition in 2026 with updated strategies and deeper guidance on achieving sustainable success as an artist.
Daily Practice, Writing, and Mentorship
Today, Tricia continues to live the principles she teaches. She paints and markets her work daily from her home studio in Reno, Nevada, maintaining an active and disciplined creative practice. Her artwork reflects decades of experience, emotional depth, and a refined understanding of color, composition, and storytelling.
In addition to painting, she continues to write—drawing on her extensive background in counseling and education. Her books for parents focus on helping children develop social skills, emotional intelligence, and the tools needed to succeed both personally and academically. This work further reinforces her reputation as a trusted educator and mentor.
Leadership in the Reno Art Community
Deeply committed to supporting fellow artists, Tricia plays a leadership role in the Reno art community. She serves as President of The Nevada Co-operative Gallery and Vice President of the Sierra Watercolor Society, where she advocates for artist visibility, professional development, and community engagement.
In these roles, she has spearheaded the purchase of the building that houses the Reno Co-op Gallery, ensuring a permanent and vibrant space for local artists. She has also brought nationally recognized artists to Reno to offer workshops—creating valuable opportunities for education, inspiration, and artistic growth.
Life Between Reno and Phoenix
Tricia currently splits her time between Reno and Phoenix, expanding her artistic reach and exhibiting her work in galleries in both locations. When she isn’t painting or writing, she enjoys time with her partner, Ed, and her golden retriever, Ozzie—finding balance between creativity, connection, and community.
A Legacy of Creativity and Empowerment
Through her work as a visual artist, author, and art business mentor, Tricia Poulos Leonard has built a career that embodies both creative fulfillment and practical success. Her story resonates with artists who dream of doing what they love while building a sustainable life—and her guidance continues to help creatives transform talent into thriving careers.
Mission
To empower artists and creatives to transform talent into sustainable success by combining artistic excellence, practical business knowledge, and personal growth. Through visual art, writing, and education, Tricia Poulos Leonard is committed to helping individuals recognize their creative potential, develop confidence, and build meaningful, self-supporting artistic lives.
Vision
A world where artists are valued, financially sustainable, and creatively fulfilled.
Tricia envisions a creative community in which artists are equipped not only with skill, but with clarity, strategy, and purpose—allowing them to thrive, contribute, and lead through their work while maintaining integrity and balance.
Core Theme
Creating Beauty, Meaning, and Opportunity Through Art
Purpose:
To demonstrate that art is both a calling and a viable profession, and to guide artists toward success by blending creativity with discipline, mindset, and real-world strategy. Tricia’s work centers on the belief that creativity can transform lives—emotionally, professionally, and socially—when artists are given the tools to succeed.
She began reading books on creativity, marketing art, and running an art business. The results were that after one year of studying and working at promoting her art, she had a one person and sold most of her work. Her study had paid off!
Now it was time to share what she learned with other artists. In 2020, she published the first edition of her book, “The Artist’s Map to Success”. She continued to read about the marketing of art and added a second edition of this book in 2026. In it she added additional information and insights about how artists can achieve success.
Tricia continues to follow the path she outlines in her books by painting and marketing her art every day in her home in Reno, Nevada. She also continues to write, drawing on her counseling background by adding books for parents to help their children develop social skills and achieve success.
Active in the Reno art community, she takes a leadership role as president of The Nevada Co-operative Gallery and vice president of the Sierra Watercolor Society. In these roles she has spearheaded purchasing the building that houses the Reno Co-op Gallery and brings nationally-known artists to offer workshops to local artists. She still finds time to spend with her partner, Ed, and her golden retriever, Ozzie. This year, she is splitting her year between Reno and Phoenix Arizona. Her work is shown in galleries in both locations.