In early June, Luc Leestemaker, the Dutch-American modern master of the abstract impressionistic landscape, will return to La Jolla for a lecture/booksigning and the opening of an art exhibit. The event takes place on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Athenaeum Library at 1008 Wall St. Leestemaker will discuss his new book titled “The Intentional Artist,” which is a collection of autobiographical stories about the creative process and overcoming the blocks to creativity. This lecture promises to be inspirational and of benefit to individuals from all walks of life, including the business profession, because it will discuss creative thinking and the universal process of success attained by holding onto one’s own creativity. The opening of an art exhibit of Leestemaker’s works called “A Retrospective: 20 years of Painting in America” will take place on Saturday June 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Madison Gallery at 1020 Prospect St., Suite 130. Many examples of Leestemaker’s large 4-foot by 4-foot, colorful landscapes from the past 20 years will be on display. Leestemaker was born in the Netherlands in 1957 to a family of painters. He started his own career as a poet, tried art beginning at age 16, then a variety of occupations including gardener, actor and taxi driver before founding his own successful consulting firm. In 1990, he moved to Los Angles to be with his actress girlfriend where he took up painting again full time. He again became very successful and now his paintings can be found at places such as the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas, Harvard University and Mitsubishi Corporation Tokyo. His work has been showcased in films such as “Spiderman” and “Erin Brockovich,” and TV shows such as “Boston Legal.” His work is also the subject of a chamber music piece by award-winning Canadian composer Vincent Ho, who was funded by the Canadian Arts Council. Some of the well-known private collectors of Leestemaker’s work include former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, former First Lady Nancy Reagan and actresses Drew Barrymore and Whoopie Goldberg. Art critic Peter Frank said Leestemaker is “something of a wanderer who wonders what is out there … he embodies the spirit of the 14th century Dutch masters but with a modern abstract approach.” Frank said Leestemaker “paints with abandon but makes art with a purpose … his hurricanes of paint have the ability to transport our spirit to a place of ecstasy.” Frank believes that Leestemaker “fulfills the role of artist as shaman who is here to fill the world with spirituality and make it whole.” Indeed, Leestemaker, who pays tribute to Ruysdael, Rembrandt, William Turner, John Constable, Picasso, de Kooning, Rothko and Kiefer as his major influences, is more than just an abstract painter. He is also a philosopher, motivational speaker, success guru and savvy businessman who sees creative thinking as the thinking of the future and has much to teach us all. For instance, he said, “Mistakes are not simply learning experiences … they are also aesthetic experiences,” or “Don’t just expect the unexpected … hope for it!” Even better, “Savor the unanticipated life … take risks … seize the moment!” And best,”Opening up to a curiosity about life is the real art.” Lorna York, the owner of the Madison Gallery where Leestemaker’s work will be shown, said, “I invite everyone to come down to the gallery to meet and experience the essence of this exceptional man.” York thinks, like many others, that, “Having a Leestemaker painting in one’s home or office is what it is all about because they have the uncanny ability to bring extraordinary power and inspiration into your daily life.”