Canadian Artist Shelley Leach

 I am a Canadian artist working in oil, acrylic, watercolour, and mixed media. My work blends realism and impressionism and is rooted in over twenty years of full-time practice. I aim to create original paintings that create a meaningful connection to place. I use a range of materials and approaches, combining traditional and contemporary work.
 

 I have original artworks in permanent collections, including the City of Ottawa Fine Arts Collection and the Canadian War Museum.  My work is also held in numerous corporate and private collections. 

Over the years I’ve shown my work everywhere—from outdoor art shows and festivals to galleries, community events, and pretty much everything in between. Every show and exhibition has been memorable in its own way, but a few highlights that were turning points for me include include a solo exhibition at the Ottawa International Airport, the Dumoine River Project (2012) at the Canadian Museum of Nature, and my Bon Echo / Mazinaw Rock project at Bon Echo Provincial Park. (2025)

I sometimes create a series or projects focusing on particular places. My project work goes beyond the canvas, incorporating painting, and narratives to foster a deeper appreciation for these places and the uniqueness that connects them to our lives. I often speak about the stories behind my work—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.

When working on location, I sketch and create small watercolours. I gather reference materials through journaling and photography to capture the essence of the landscape. My larger paintings in oils or acrylic are completed in studio. I began painting in oils at an early age , in 2010 I began to explore acrylic paint and today I move between all three mediums, choosing each according to the light, mood and atmosphere of the scene. I also work in mixed media.

Each work of art is unique, and I give it a title only once it’s finished. Over time, I’ve come to see that titling my work feels like giving it presence. The moment I title it, the work seems to stand on its own — complete in its own way. 

 I grew up moving frequently, born in Kingston, then living in Petawawa, Ontario, Europe, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, before finally settling in Ottawa, Ontario, where I spent my teens and early twenties.  Growing up surrounded by my mother’s ever-changing paintings, I developed a deep appreciation for art and was encouraged to develop my own skills, eventually pursuing a career as a professional artist. 

After leaving home, I spent twelve years living in remote regions of western Quebec along the Ottawa River in the Ottawa Valley.  During my time in these remote whitewater regions, nature and wilderness were seamlessly intertwined with daily life, offering constant artistic inspiration. It was here that my natural affinity for the arts fully took hold. In 2005, I moved back to Ontario, where I continue to live and work as a full-time artist. 

Most of my work to date has been 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.