I've practiced in the visual arts professionally since 2005. My training, experience and study in fine arts have been consistent as a second generation artist, daughter of artist Mary Louise Leach art was always a part of my life, as was nature. I've heard the second generation artist inherits not only techniques but also the spirit, discovering art is more than aesthetics; it’s a language. I believe this to be true.
My father served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a logistician, so my formative years were spent living both domestically and abroad doing lots of travelling and camping. This allowed me to gain an appreciation of other cultures and landscapes, fostering my desire to paint the Canadian Landscape known for its natural beauty and pristine wilderness.
In my early adult years, I resided in Rural Eastern Ontario and spent almost 12 years in Western Quebec. There, nature and wilderness seamlessly intertwined with everyday life, igniting my deep passion for wilderness painting. I reveled in discovering unique corners of these regions, translating their beauty onto my canvases. Since then, my artistic exploration has expanded beyond those familiar borders. While my roots remain planted, I now seek inspiration from diverse landscapes from all areas in Canada. Yet, it was those early years amidst the untamed beauty of Rural Ontario and Western Quebec that laid the foundation for my true love of wilderness painting.
My art medium is oil and acrylic painting; genre is landscape and wilderness. I paint plein-air on location with with oil or watercolours although all my large pieces are created in studio in oil or acrylic paint. I have original artwork in permanent collections with the Canadian War Museum, and City of Ottawa Fine Arts collection as well as numerous corporate and private collections. I worked from my home-based studio in Kars, Ontario from 2005 - 2015. In 2023 I opened Wind Rock Ridge Art Gallery in Smiths Falls, Ontario.
As an Artist and Gallery Owner, I engage with the art world from several unique perspectives. As an artist, I create my own work and understand the challenges and joys of creating art. As the owner of a gallery, I also act as a curator. Deciding what art to display, how to display it, and creating an overall aesthetic or theme for my gallery. As an entrepreneur, running my own business requires business insight. As a supporter of the arts with a gallery I have a platform for artists I believe in, to exhibit, sell and network.
I often create a series of original paintings. My vivid landscape and wilderness paintings tell a story, art is my visual language hopefully allowing me to share these stories with you, fostering a deeper appreciation of these areas and the uniqueness that connects them to our daily lives. I have exhibited my paintings at the Home and Cottage Show and the Outdoor Adventure Show in Ottawa and Toronto as well as numerous art events with my original wilderness paintings. Large solo exhibits included Ottawa International Airport and The Museum of Nature where my original Dumoine River series of paintings were exhibited for a special event. My artistic vision is deeply rooted in the Canadian Landscape and wilderness, my style seamlessly blends with elements of realism and impressionism.