Leo Stans was born in Chaska, Minnesota. He was schooled at the Minnesota School of Art. He is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist who his best known for his realistic depictions of nature. In 1990 he was honored by the National Park Service, who used some of his works for a line of collectors stamps.

Stans was recently chosen as the official artist for the 2009 Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest in the world. His art will be used for posters, buttons, and advertising.