Canadian Landscape Artist Shelley Leach

My art medium is oil and acrylic painting; genre is Canadian landscape and wilderness. All my large original paintings are created in studio in oil or acrylic. When working on location, I use watercolours to sketch the scene and gather reference materials that I later incorporate into my studio work to capture the true essence of the landscape. I also use photography and journaling as a tool in the field when gathering reference materials.

I have original artwork in permanent collections, including the City of Ottawa Fine Arts collection and the Canadian War Museum where my own work is showcased along side my mothers earlier work. I also have numerous pieces in other corporate and private collections.

I'm in my 20th year as a practicing professional artist.

My artistic vision is deeply rooted in the Canadian landscape and wilderness, with a style that blends elements of realism and impressionism. My work is shaped by personal exploration of the Canadian landscape.

I often create a series or projects of original paintings focusing on particular areas. My project work goes beyond the canvas, incorporating painting, photography and narratives to foster a deeper appreciation for these areas and the uniqueness that connects them to our lives. 

I’ve held a paintbrush for as long as I can remember. My mother, Mary Louise Leach (1945-2003), was an accomplished artist and mentor who played a pivotal role when I began painting. Her work, collected nationally and internationally, includes over 25 pieces in the Beaverbrook Art Collection at the Canadian War Museum. Although, she was best known for her traditional landscape paintings that also depicted the Canadian Landscape. My father, Bill Leach (Retired, Lieutenant-General, CMM, CD, 1942-2015), had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces, providing me with a unique upbringing. 

Since 2005, I’ve dedicated myself to the fine arts, building on my lifelong journey as an artist, always mindful of the early foundations that continue to inspire my present and future as an artist. 

As a self-taught artist, my artistic development was influenced by the diverse experiences of my upbringing that sparked my creativity and cultivated the tenacity that defines my work as an artist today.  

I was born in Kingston, Ontario, although most of my teenage and early adult life was spent living in the Ottawa area. I spent nearly 12 years living in remote areas of Western Quebec from the mid 1990's to 2004. My professional art career began in the Whitewater regions of Quebec and Ontario, where nature and wilderness seamlessly intertwined with daily life, providing inspiration from the rugged, untamed natural beauty of these areas. These early experiences have had a lasting influence on my work.

Living in Ontario my art has evolved beyond depicting the landscapes of my early surroundings, drawing new inspiration from the diverse and natural landscapes of Canada.

Over the years, my art has been featured at events such as the Outdoor Adventure Show in Ottawa and Toronto, alongside numerous art events showcasing my original wilderness art. Notable solo art exhibitions include the Ottawa International Airport and the Museum of Nature, where my Dumoine River Project was displayed as part of a special event. 

See 2025  shows & events below.