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. With work held in notable collections nationally and internationally, including original pieces in the Beaverbrook Art Collection at the Canadian War Museum, as a military spouse much of her work focused on life on the home front and civilian experiences. Many of her works are particularly important to me, as they were not only rooted in the common experiences of military families but also drawn from my own lived reality during my younger years. Several paintings include members of my family — including myself — or people I knew. It’s humbling, and sometimes surreal, to see parts of your life represented in national institutions.

Having work painted of you in a museum is a great honour, but it also means stepping back. You become more than just yourself; you become a symbol of something larger. Sometimes that feels meaningful, but other times it doesn’t feel like it truly represents you. There’s a moral weight in that, because you can’t fully separate who you are from what the image comes to stand for — and that meaning can change over time. These experiences have shaped how I approach my own work. My mother was also a traditional landscape artist with a deep love for nature.

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 professional accomplishments and the legacy they left me—one built on creativity, service, and an enduring commitment to Canadian culture.

My artistic development has been shaped by the diverse experiences of my upbringing, which cultivated the tenacity that defines my work today. I was born in Kingston, Ontario, and spent most of my youth in the Ottawa area. From there, I spent nearly 12 years living in remote regions of Western Quebec with my common-law partner, 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. The loss of my mother at a relatively young age brought new clarity to my artistic path. By 2003–2004, pursuing art full-time felt like a natural step. The decision gradually took hold, in 2005 I moved back to Ontario where I still currently reside and by 2006 I was working as a full-time artist. 

Looking back now, I see that I’ve been painting independently for over 20 years and in that time, my style has evolved into something distinct and deeply my own.

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.

Here’s what I’ll be up to in 2025: This summer marks both a return and a new beginning — back to the Dumoine River after 13 years and my Dumoine River Project. I’m humbled to be an invited artist as part of  DRAW (Dumoine River Art for Wilderness) with CPAWS-Ottawa Valley.  I’ll also be joining Jen Wills owner of Finding Your Way Adventures Company for a reflective journey through Killarney Provincial Park exploring the pristine lakes around the La Cloche Mountains. Her trips blend mindful backcountry travel, forest therapy, and contemplative practices — a perfect pairing with art-making and creative renewal. These experiences are sure to inspire, and I look forward to discovering what'll be create from these 2025 adventures.