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.
Artist Bio
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 series 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; although they are both deceased, 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 also 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.
As the middle child of three, my early perspective was influenced by my family. My father, Bill Leach (Lieutenant General, retired CMM, CD), 1942-2015, served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a logistician. His distinguished career not only provided me with a unique upbringing characterized by both domestic and international travel but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for different cultures and landscapes. He was known for keeping his hair a little longer than most during his time. This, combined with my mother, a serious landscape artist, shaped my future experiences. In turn inspiring my passion for painting the Canadian landscape, known for its natural beauty and pristine wilderness.
During my mid-career I spent a vast amount of time exploring Rural Eastern Ontario and almost 12 years living in Western Quebec. My professional career started in the Whitewater regions of Quebec and Ontario. There, nature and wilderness seamlessly intertwined with everyday life, igniting my deep passion for wilderness painting. I reveled in discovering unique corners of these regions, translating their beauty onto my canvases.
Now as an established artist, I wish to expand my artistic exploration beyond those 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.
This November I will be participating in a group art show at the Art Factory in Renfrew, Ontario from Nov 1st - Dec 21st with this summers work.
Creative Vision
From 2005- 2015 I worked from my home-based studio in Kars, Ontario. From 2015-2018 I moved more times than I care to count to more places than I care to remember. Finally in 2023 I re-opened my studio Wind Rock Ridge .
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 I'm always available 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.
Preview of new work, check the "Original Artwork" available page for more...
'Echoes of Last Light' second painting in my Bon Echo/Mazinaw Rock Mini Series see Artist project page for more details.
Bon Echo Mazinaw Rock Mini Series Painting 1. by Shelley Leach " The Shapeshifer" 16 x 20 acrylic on canvas you can see more on my artists project page
