Arts power couple open their home to Sway

BY: Andrew Miller
PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael Chambers

On a lucky day, you’re likely to catch the Leacocks listening to music and baking cookies with their four-year-old son, Maxwell. Nikki Leacock’s vibrant paintings adorn the walls of this downtown condo in a trendy Toronto neighbourhood. Photos of friends and family add to this warm and well-designed space, where the family has enjoyed profound moments with relatives and their cache of close friends.

“Family is monumental with us,” says Richard. “One of the things that Nikki and I love about each other is that family has always played an important role in our lives.”

Having grown up in Vancouver, Richard moved to Toronto to star alongside Billy Ray Cyrus on the hit drama television series Doc. His wife, Nikki, grew up in Alberta and is an accomplished artist who has sold pieces all over the globe.

“In the West Indies, doing art or being an actor isn’t perceived as a job but as a hobby,” says Richard. “I’m thankful that our families have both been very supportive. With most West Indian families, you’re supposed to go to school, get a job and then work. My brother is in the [arts] business as well, and he’s one of my best friends. We support each other and that’s just the way it is.”

In the dining room area, Nikki displays two of her paintings that hang on the wall.

“These paintings were from a series called Vanity, a playful look at the online world that we’re living in right now, while most of the abstract portraits that I do are either of family or close friends,” says Nikki. Leading away from the living room, a long glass window lets in natural light while giving a wonderful view of the downtown core. This room plays multiple functions — as Max’s playroom, Nikki’s art studio and Richard’s home office.

“We love this room for its versatility and the great view,” says Richard. “Max has taken up an interest in art just like his mother, so it’s a great space for him to express himself and be creative.”

Inspiration can come from many sources and Barack Obama, who the couple met while in Chicago, has proved to be a huge force in motivating and inspiring people all over the world. Nikki has painted the words from one of his speeches on a canvas, while Richard is in the process of creating a documentary of Barack’s road to the White House.

“We got the opportunity to meet Barack Obama a couple years ago at the 2004 democratic convention. From the very first time I heard him speak, I knew he’d be doing big things,” says Richard. “I know a lot of black people are hopeful towards the future and him winning the election is a sign that anything can be achieved with hard work.”

For more info on Nikki’s paintings visit: rowenasart.com; to keep up with Richard’s career, visit: richardleacockonline.com.