The paintings of Kirkland artist Lena Leitzke will be exhibited during the month of June at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Avenue West.

Russian-born, Ukraine citizen Lena Leitzke came to the United States in 2000. She discovered her talent for painting at an early age and began training herself. In 2001, she became a member of Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, which who she credits as helping her to grow as an artist.

Surrounded by traditional influences as a child, Leitzke considers it her mission to create fine art that celebrates life and the human spirit. She has done so in many different styles and techniques, from large scale to miniatures, from abstracts to realism, from portraits to landscapes and from flowers to romantic couples, ballerinas and dancers.

“I guess I am that rare individual who likes to challenge oneself in all possible styles and themes just to prove that one can be self-taught in everything,” she said.

Leitzke has received numerous awards for her work, including a 2009 Second Place Miniatures Award, Edmonds Juried Gallery Show; 2009 Best of Show, 15th International Miniature Art Show, Wyoming; 2010 Second Place in Watercolors, Florida; 2010 Second Place, Alabama Miniature Show; 2011 First Place, Westwind Gallery Miniature Show, Colorado; 2011 Second Place, Ice House Gallery, Washington; 2011 1st Place Miniatures at Gateway to the Rockies Art Show; 2012 Best of Show, Sulpher Springs Valley National Miniature & Small Works Show, Wilcox, Arizona; 2012 Best of Show, International Miniatures, Casper, Wyoming.

The Lena Leitzke Painting Exhibit, presented by the Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission, runs June 1-30 at the Mountlake Terrace Library, Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.