Canadian Landscape Artist Shelley Leach

 I am 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.

Now in my 20th year as a professional artist, my work reflects a deep connection to the natural world. My work is 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 a fine 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.  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 12 years living in remote regions of Western Quebec from the mid-1990s to 2004. Living in the remote whitewater regions of Quebec nature and wilderness seamlessly intertwined with daily life, providing inspiration from the rugged, untamed natural beauty of these areas. In 2005 I moved back to Ontario where I still reside 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 that I later incorporate into my larger projects to capture the true essence of the landscape.

Notable solo exhibitions of my work include the Ottawa International Airport and the Canadian Museum of Nature, where my Dumoine River Project (2008–2011) was featured as part of the Dare to be Deep tour. This exhibition was presented in collaboration with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to celebrate the establishment of Gwaii Haanas as a National Marine Conservation Area.

My artwork has also been showcased at events such as the Outdoor Adventure Travel Show in Ottawa, where both the Dumoine River Project ( 2008-11), Abitibi River 2012/13 and my 2024 Bon Echo Project were featured. 

In 2025, my complete Bon Echo/Mazinaw Rock Project was displayed in the place where it was inspired — Bon Echo Provincial Park in Ontario.

In 2025, I was selected for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Art for Wilderness Residency, an opportunity as a Canadian landscape painter to continue exploring and defining the Canadian landscape.

You can read more about my project work here...Artists Projects