Heinrich Leonhard grew up in Columbia and became adept in many arts and crafts. A geology major at the University of Missouri-Columbia, he took classes in watercolor painting that have proved invaluable when hand-painting ceramic pieces. After graduation, he worked some two years for an archeological company that preserved buried objects uncovered by construction projects. After his first child arrived, Leonhard returned to Columbia to work with his mother, a self-taught folk artist in her native Germany, in her craft activities.

"I’m fortunate to be home with the freedom to create and dictate my own hours."

Leonhard crafts a variety of ceramic items from hand-painted, ceramic Christmas-tree ornaments to tile murals to one-of-a-kind tea sets. He also produces figurines, miscellaneous hanging decorations, candleholders with panels depicting Missouri scenes, and ceramic fish. They’re often brightly colored with exotic spines and tails.

Visitors to Grant Elementary School, across the street from the public library, can see a fish mural made from painted tiles and other Leonhard originals.