W W W . S H E L L E Y L E A C H . C O M
Canadian Landscape Artist Shelley Leach
Through my artwork I aim to capture, nature, peace and resilience.
W W W . S H E L L E Y L E A C H . C O M
Through my artwork I aim to capture, nature, peace and resilience.
My art medium is oil and acrylic painting; genre is landscape and wilderness. All my large original paintings are created in studio in oil or acrylic paint with the use of reference materials from being on location.
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. My artistic vision is deeply rooted in the Canadian Landscape and wilderness, my style seamlessly blends elements of realism and impressionism.
I often create a series/ projects 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.
Photography is a serious hobby and plays an essential role in my creative journey. Capturing the beauty of the environments I explore allows me to more fully document and reflect on landscapes that inspire me. My work is a heartfelt exploration of the Canadian landscape.
I've held a paintbrush since I was seven, around the time my dyslexia was identified. While dyslexia presents very real challenges, I consider it a profound creative gift that shapes my perspective. People with dyslexia often think in images rather than words, and this intuitive approach enhances my art. I was captivated by my mother’s ability to transform our experiences into visual narratives through paint, a legacy I continue as a second-generation artist. Since 2005, I have dedicated myself to the fine arts, building on this lifelong journey.
It’s important for me to acknowledge my parents' contributions to my art career; their diverse experiences profoundly shaped my early creativity and inspired my future tenacity as an artist.
My mother, Mary Louise Leach (1945-2003), was a pivotal mentor when I began to paint. Her work was collected nationally and internationally, with over 25 pieces in the Beaverbrook Art Collection of war art at the Canadian War Museum. A commissioned military artist, and a recipient of two Royal Canadian Geographical Society grants in 1983 and 1984 to travel to Canada’s North, where she created a significant body of artwork.
The diversity in her work and subject greatly influenced my future pursuits as an artist. I grew up in a creative and encouraging environment where art and nature were always integral parts of my life.
My father, Bill Leach (Lieutenant-General, retired CMM, CD, 1942-2015), had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a logistician, providing me with a unique upbringing filled with diverse experiences, including travel and living abroad. This exposure fostered a deep appreciation for various cultures and landscapes.
During my mid- art career, I spent a vast amount of time exploring rural Eastern Ontario and nearly 12 years living in Western Quebec. My professional art career began in the Whitewater regions of Quebec and Ontario, where nature and wilderness seamlessly intertwined with everyday life.
I reveled in discovering unique corners of these landscapes, translating their beauty onto my canvases. Somehow, when I painted these areas, the transition from simply painting landscapes to engaging in conservation and preservation efforts became inevitable. My artwork highlighted the importance of these areas, and the focus on conservation and preservation often takes center stage in my projects.
Through my work, I aim to foster an appreciation for the uniqueness and fragility of these landscapes, encouraging others to recognize their value.
Now as an established artist, I wish to expand my artistic exploration beyond familiar borders, seeking inspiration from the diverse landscapes across Canada.
I have exhibited my paintings at 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.
Group Art Show
Nov 1 - Dec 21, 2024
on exhibit and for sale are my two newest works from my current Art Project of Bon Echo/ Mazinaw Rock as well as original location Sketches. You can find these Originals at
Art Factory Gallery located at
11 Bridge St. Renfrew, Ontario.
Wed - Sat 10 am - 5 pm
You can find out about my current art "project "on my artists project page. If you have interest in a specific original painting currently available that are not at the Gallery you can find contact info below.
Every landscape I paint are areas I've visited. A lot goes into each painting and actually getting into the studio to create that one-of-a -kind piece is only a fraction of the work that went into creating it, having said that in most cases its the longest part of the process.
I like to make sure your one-of-a-kind piece of original artwork from a recognized artist is an investment you will be proud to own for generations to come.
All works of art are sold with certificates of authenticity.
Email: windrockridgeartiststudio@gmail.com Phone: 613-809-9357
Copyright © 2024 shelleyleach - All Rights Reserved.