Following a severe automobile accident at the age of two, Jacques would face years of indoor confinement as he healed from his injuries. It would be eight years before he would enter the public school system full time. During his recovery, he would often have high fevers that resulted in vivid dreams and hallucinations. Since he was unable to speak during the early years of his recovery, doctors would have him sketch responses. It was noticed early on that he had a strong interest, and a nearly savant talent in describing and drawing these dreams. His namesake and Godmother began to take a personal interest in his arts education. She provided private tutors in art and music that came to his home on a regular basis. Books and supplies arrived often. Her generosity spanned not only the time of his recuperation but continued well into his adult life.
Through his art, Jacques has transcended his childhood of isolation and loneliness. He has done this by creating landscapes that the viewer experiences as a sort of waking dream. The effect is both magnetic and haunting. The medium he uses is a combination of photography and painting. Using this approach, he hopes to be able to produce a timeless, almost dreamlike appearance to his work, similar to how a memory or dream might appear. Whenever possible, it is a feeling of nostalgia that he hopes a viewer of his work will walk away with.
LeBlanc has lived all but a few years of his life on Long Island and is best known for his unique East End landscapes. He had a 35 year career in education, teaching architecture and design related courses and since retiring in 2008, he has devoted himself to an in-depth study of what dreams look like, called Oneirology, and has used the research found in those studies to produce his unique style of art.
LeBlanc has the following degrees -
Associates in Mechanical Technology
Bachelor’s in Industrial Arts/Technology Education
Master’s in the Environment/Energy
Jacques has been honored with numerous awards in well over a hundred juried art shows.
Awards he is the most proud of are:
The International Golf Hall of Fame – Golf Photo of the Year – “Maidstone Golfer”. 2011
Hamptons Magazine - Interview. 2016
Hamptons Private - Coffee Table Book by Dan Rattiner. 2021
Dan’s Paper Cover Contest – The Big Duck. Jacques was the first photographer to have his work displayed on the cover of Dan’s Paper in its 62 years of circulation. 2022
.jpg&height=160 "Leaning Post")
.jpg&height=146.518 "After The Storm")
.jpg&height=120 "Poetry In Fog")
.jpg&height=213.333 "Foggy Bellport Morning")
