Canadian Landscape Artist Shelley Leach

My art medium is oil, acrylic and watercolour painting; genre is Canadian landscape and wilderness.

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, 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 accepted into the museum’s permanent collection in 2012 through a formal adjudication process, alongside earlier works by my mother. I also have numerous pieces in corporate and private collections. 

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 original pieces in the Beaverbrook Art Collection at the Canadian War Museum, where her focus was on the home front and civilian life. She was also a traditional landscape artist with a deep love for nature.

Looking back now, I see that I’ve been painting independently for over 20 years—almost as long as she did before her passing—and in that time, my style has grown into something distinct and deeply my own.

My father, Bill Leach (Retired Lieutenant-General, CMM, CD, 1942–2015), had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces. After retiring from the military, he served in various leadership roles and, at the time of his passing, was Chair of the Board of the Canadian Museum of History. I am proud of my parents accomplishments and the legacy they left me—one built on creativity, service, and an enduring commitment to Canadian culture.

My artistic development was influenced by the diverse experiences of my upbringing that cultivated the tenacity that defines my work as an artist today. I was born in Kingston, Ontario and spent most of my youth living in the Ottawa area. From there I spent nearly 12 years living in remote areas of Western Quebec from the mid 90's to 2004 where my professional art career began. 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. 

Since 2005, I’ve dedicated myself to the fine arts, building on my lifelong journey as an artist. 

When working on location, I paint small plein air watercolours, and gather reference materials through journaling and photography that I later incorporate into my larger paintings and projects to capture the true essence of the landscape.

Notable solo art exhibitions include the Ottawa International Airport and the Canadian Museum of Nature, where my 2008-11 Dumoine River Project was featured as part of the Dare to be Deep tour in collaboration with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society as they celebrated the establishment of Gwaii Haanas as a National Marine Conservation area. My art has been featured at events such as the Outdoor Adventure Travel Shows in Ottawa were both my Dumoine River, and 2024 Bon Echo Projects were featured. Since 2005 my work has been shown at numerous events and art exhibits showcasing my original wilderness art.