By Jean Newton

The Los Altos Rotary Club selected the internationally renowned artist Michael Leu, as the featured artist for “Fine Art in the Park,” scheduled 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, in Lincoln Park at Foothill and Main Street. Leu hasn’t missed an opportunity to participate in the annual fund-raising event since his first appearance in the late 1980s.

Why does Leu, whose art is exhibited in galleries around the world from New Zealand to Japan and South Africa to Germany, return year after year to the Los Altos Rotary art show?

“I like this art show and I like the people in the town. I have made many friends over the years and I enjoy seeing them once a year,” Leu said. “People like to come to talk to me. I like to talk to people and collectors and to answer questions.”

Rated as one of the top 10 best-selling art shows in California, ‘Fine Art in the Park’ is ranked 75th out of 300 best-selling fine art and craft shows nationwide, according to the 2001 Edition of the Art Fair Source Book.

Leu’s colorful serigraphy “Spring in Capri” graces the official 2001 Fine Art in the Park poster and is representative of his artwork that reflects his life experience.

As early as age 7, Leu gained recognition as an artist after winning first place in the International Children’s painting contest in Tokyo, Japan. He studied fine art and design in Taiwan in the late 60s and honed his printmaking technique in the early 80s after coming to the United States.

“The moment when I came to America is still vivid in my mind,” Leu said. “Art is my dream and my destiny. I came here for only one reason. This was a free country for me and definitely unlimited potential for me.”

Leu, who has just opened a gallery in San Francisco to showcase his work, takes his inspiration from reading, music and imagination. Cats are one of his most frequent subjects and he is known for what he calls his “cat viewpoints or through the eyes of a cat” perspective. Landscapes and women are other favorites, though he finds creative challenge in breaking with style to produce something different and interesting rather than repeating himself.

There’s a bit of whimsy in his art mixed with bold colors and captivating images, representing a blend of his Asian heritage and his western experience. He describes his creative source as “sensual impressions” that trigger a feeling expressed by using colors and forms in his paintings and prints. This creative process is more important to him than the final destination.

“Most artists prefer to paint similar subjects on the same media,” Leu said. “I like different time, mode and environment and the challenge to do something different. Some people’s goal is to get to the top of a mountain, but I like to enjoy the process of the climb up.”

Admission and parking are free. “Fine Art in the Park” proceeds benefit local charities. For more information, call 949-2637 or check out www.losaltosrotary.org.