Photo of LENO'S ultimate achievment
Christ on the Cross was meticulously conceived, and lovingly painted by Leno. He dedicated it to the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Clayton, WA. Our Society is deeply indebted to the Very Reverend Bishop Skylstad and the Catholic Diocese for giving permission to display this work of art on our Website.
The ultimate reason for Leno's talent and the ultimate depiction of his talent. Securing permission to display this painting falls directly at the feet of two of our distinguished Society members. Marilyn Reilly, a member of the Catholic Church in Deer Park, Washington. She photographed of this perfect picture of a perfect painting. Duane Costa, a very close personal friend who grew up and lived next door to Leno for near thirty years. In addition Duane is a personal friend of Bishop Skylstad.
The original St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clayton, WA.
St Joseph's was moved to its present location on Railroad Avenue on a firm foundation, completly covereded with brick and new roof surrounding the historic interior.
This old Oppenheimer grist mill was painted by Leno Prestini in the early 1960s and is now in the possession of a private party in Southern Stevens County. The painting can not be reproduced until after the Prestini displey scheduled for August 14-22. 2010 is complete and when it goes on display for all to see and enjoy. The painting is 3' X 6' and some believe it to be one of Leno's finest. The photo above is in itself a rare find thanks to Tornado Creek Productions and with credit to the Stevens County Historical Society.
This photograph of Leno plying his trade is a work of art. Notice how he holds his paint tray and brushes.
This photo is in the Prestini files for this reason, one of Leno's best work was the painting of the Grist Mill. The painting remains off limits until the much publiisized Prestini Presentation in August 2010. At that time you may view this 3' X 6' on this webpage along with any additional painting unknown to us at that time. The caption hand written at the bottom of this photo is difficut to read so this is my interpetation: "A 1914 picture of Meyers Falls on the Colville River near the town of Kettle Falls. In the right hand corner is the power house. The big building above was built by Grand Father as a grist mill for the Hudson Bay Company."
This is probably Leno's least loved photo. The unimpressed woman to the right was an important woman from Colville.
The funeral service of Leno's Mother, Caterina Prestini. She was born in 1884 and passed away in September of 1961. Pictured are Arnold (Leno's cousin) and Florence Prestini, Battista and Mae Prestini, and Leno.
There is a high probability, this is Leno's storage shed judging from the large mold of one of his sculptors to the right. One wonders where all these treasures are today. Scattered to the far winds?
This picture of Leno is fresh from the files of Vera Spaulding, who proudly announced, “Leno was quite close to certain members of the Wind/ Spaulding family.”
Ora ( GJelvik) Tjomsland, sister of Gary Coe's Mother Estelle Gjelvik Coe, along with Leno on a diving expedition with an unidentified youngster. Compliments of Mr. Gary Coe. Thank you Gary.
Butch Faulkner is loaning the next for Prestini paintings for August Prestini Display. This "Butch" painting is oil on canvas and is 26 by 32 inches in size and was painted in 1960. Butch says it is an allegorical image of what his mother saw as themes for Butch's life, a baby, a professor, or a clown.
This smaller painting is untitled but is a representation of Butch and Myrt facing the chances of the future as man and wife. The painting is 11 by 14 inches in size, was done in 1961, and is oil on canvas.
One of Leno's happier paintings!
This was contributed by Marilyn Lindh to the Leno Prestini Project. Perhaps it could be titled “The Matador, '55.”
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Leno Burton Stewart and their skiing companions.
Prior to 1957 Leno was commissioned to construct four fireplaces of his own design on the west side of the Clayton Mercantile.
1957 was a catastrophic year for Clayton. First the closing for good of the Clayton Brickyard, then the total destruction of the E & E Mercantile. In addition some of Leno's artistry was destroyed as well. This photo was sent to us by John Henry, Son of Joe and Grandson of Don Henry.
Leno's Wishing well at Jim Swinyard park in Deer Park, WA
This is the only school picture of Leno that we have been able to find. Leno is in the back row second from the right. Bob Huffman is in the front row, center. Jack Coffin is the left boy in the back row. We are not 100 % sure of these identifications. If you disagree or know other students in the group, please let us know.
This is a close-up of Leno from the above picture. What do these eyes show? Do you see the talent and creativity that Leno would later show? Did he show his creative side as a student at Clayton School?
Burton Stewart is on the left and Leno Prestini on the right. The man in the middle is unknown. Here are the words of Burton Stewart’s son Chuck: “This picture is from the late 1930s. The old truck is a 1924 Oakland touring car converted to a heavy duty "pickup" by chopping off the back end of the body, adding the truck bed and, most interesting, adding a 2nd transmission to give a choice of 6 speeds. They definitely have been or are going diving and maybe also doing some gold prospecting by the looks of the shovel, gold pan, and junk in the ‘truck’.”
Again, Chuck Stewart states: "This picture is from the 1950s from the Martin 7.5 hp outboard motor. Also Dad didn't start wearing caps like this one until about then. The setting has to be either the Columbia or Spokane rivers by the wide level range and dry environment evident on the shore. The only evidence of diving is what looks like an old milk can converted to an air tank in the back ground. The black pole back of the motor looks like the handle I remember on the hand air pump."
Battista Prestini and Leno's diving suit.
This unexpected photo comes to us from Glendine Leonard of the Stevens County Historical Society. She is the chairperson of the Leno Prestini display committee. There will be displays in Clayton, Loon Lake, and Colville this August, honoring the Clayton artist. Our thanks go out to Glendine and her Society. This 1914 picture shows Milo, Leno, Arnold, Battista and Rena Prestini. Leno and Battista are brothers. Cousins Milo, Arnold and Rena are children of Fred Prestini. The picture was taken at Buckeye, Washington, which is located at the confluence of Dragoon Creek and the Little Spokane River. Buckeye had a neat little one room school. A picture of which can be seen on Schools page. This School was one of a half dozen buildings actually designed by an architect in our district.
The "Poor Man" painting is oil on canvas and is 26 by 32 inches in size and was painted in 1961. Leno’s brother Battista’s wife was a red head and perhaps accounts for Leno's dislike of red headed women. Could the women with the whip is Battista's wife?
Could this untitled painting be called “Time Runs Out”? This oil on canvas is 26 by 32 inches in size and was painted in 1958. The devil is digging the grave, the horse is bucking Leno off into the chasm and the hour glass timer has been shattered. This is perhaps a telling painting predicting Leno's death.
These gold pans are on loan from the Fred and Margaret Jens Family. They are owned by daughters Keree Jens and Melanie (Jens) Kincaid. Margaret was an RN and worked for Dr. Snyder. She was his receptionist and nurse for over 30 years and got to know everyone who visited the doctor. This may be how she met Leno. Leno painted the first pan for Margaret as a gift. He wasn’t happy with it and painted her another one.
Can you tell which one Leno was happier with? Also let us know if you know of any other Leno painting of just an animal!
This is a 1933 Christmas tile signed by Leno Prestini.
BURTON STEWART was a long time friend and fellow adventurer of Leno. You can see some of their adventures on our “Leno” pages.
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