Canadian Landscape Artist Shelley Leach

I'm a Canadian landscape and wilderness artist working in oil, acrylic, and watercolour. My work blends realism and impressionism, rooted in over two decades of dedicated, full-time practice as a professional artist.

My work reflects a deep connection to the natural world, shaped by personal exploration of the Canadian landscape. Through my artwork I hope to inspire your desire to preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us.

I often create a series or projects of original paintings focusing on particular areas. My project work goes beyond the canvas, incorporating painting, and narratives to foster a deeper appreciation for these areas and the uniqueness that connects them to our lives. I often speak about the stories behind each painting—where it was created, what inspired it, and why it matters. This commitment to meaning and connection is central to my practice as an artist.

I have original artwork in permanent collections, including the City of Ottawa Fine Arts Collection and the Canadian War Museum, where my painting Strength and Honour (© 2010 Shelley Leach), a work of remembrance, was acquired into the museum’s permanent collection in 2012. Though figurative rather than landscape, this work reflects the same commitment to creating meaningful art that guides all of my practice. I also have numerous pieces in corporate and private collections.

 While I’ve held a paintbrush for as long as I can remember, my work has grown from my own connection to nature and many years of full-time practice. My mother, Mary Louise Leach (1945–2003), was also a landscape painter whose work often reflected civilian and military life. My father, Lieutenant-General Bill Leach (1942–2015), had a long career in the Canadian Armed Forces and later served as Chair of the Board of the Canadian Museum of History. I am proud of my parents professional accomplishments. Their lives reflected a mix of creativity and public service and an enduring commitment to Canadian culture. One that quietly shaped my values. 

 I was born in Kingston, Ontario, and spent most of my youth in the Ottawa area. From there, I spent twelve years living in remote regions of western Quebec, in the Ottawa Valley along the Ottawa River, from the mid-1990s to 2004. In these remote whitewater regions, nature and wilderness were seamlessly intertwined with daily life, offering constant inspiration through the rugged, untamed beauty of the landscape. In 2005, I moved back to Ontario, where I continue to live and work as a full-time artist.  

 As a Canadian landscape artist, most of my work to date is rooted in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, where I’ve spent much of my career — dedicating countless hours to observing, exploring, and understanding the distinct character and subtle nuances of each province’s unique landscape. 

When working on location, I sketch and create small watercolours. My larger work is created in studio. I gather reference materials through journaling and photography to capture the true essence of the landscape.

Each painting is unique, and I give it a title only once it’s finished. Over time, I’ve come to see that titling a painting feels like giving it presence. The moment I title it, the work seems to stand on its own — complete in its own way. The title is meant to express something about the piece and to invite curiosity about the story behind it. 

My artwork has been exhibited in a variety of settings over the years, with notable highlights including a solo exhibition at the Ottawa International Airport and a feature at the Canadian Museum of Nature showcasing my Dumoine River Project (2008–2012).

My work has also appeared at major public events such as Ottawa’s Outdoor Adventure Travel Show, where the Dumoine River Project (2008-12), Abitibi River Artwork (2012–2013), and my Bon Echo Project (2024) were presented. In 2025, the complete Bon Echo / Mazinaw Rock Project was exhibited at Bon Echo Provincial Park—the site that inspired the work. These are select highlights from my broader body of project work; in addition to these exhibitions, my art has been proudly shown in numerous local venues and galleries.