Lessie Venardo Dixon is an American artist who has been drawing since he “could hold a pencil.” Raised in Henning, TN, Chicago, IL is where Lessie discovered his love for the arts. While attending college, he obtained his first art commission job in only his second semester of college from R. H. Boyd Publishing Company. In 2003, Lessie found a new passion in the Fine Art of Portrait and Plein Air oil painting. Dixon relocated to Chicago, IL in 2010, where he continues to pursue his studies in the field of the arts.

In 2011, Lessie founded a new style of painting, ANI Afrocentric Neo-Impressionism. An art movement characterized with bold colors and thick expressive brushstrokes. This style of painting was inspired by various forms of art, that focuses on the African Culture and it’s History.

Lessie has also participated in important shows and exhibitions; he completed a Portrait of Mayor Ronnie C. Lewis for the Village of Dolton, IL. His first exhibition in Chicago, IL was held at the Museum of Science and Industry’s Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, winning the Best in Show Painting Award. Lessie then exhibited at the DuSable Museum of African American History. He also went on to have his first Solo Exhibition at the era Creative Arts Foundation, where he presented different genres of art.

Lessie currently utilizes his skills to maintain his professional and creative growth as an artist. Dixon gives artists access to traditional and contemporary art practices through Exhibitions and Education. These programs are committed to playing a role in the preservation of the arts in the African and art communities.