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, including the Canadian War Museum, where my own pieces are showcased alongside my late mother's contributions. My works are also part of the 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, with a style that blends elements of realism and impressionism. My work is shaped by my personal exploration of the Canadian landscape.
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 an essential tool in my creative process. It allows me to capture the landscapes I explore in a way that differs from painting and provides valuable reference material that informs my work, deepening my connection to the natural world.
I’ve held a paintbrush since I was seven, around the time my dyslexia was identified. While dyslexia presents real challenges, I consider it a profound creative gift that shapes my perspective. As a self-taught artist, my development has been influenced not only by this unique way of seeing the world but also by the diverse experiences of my upbringing. These early exposures sparked my creativity and cultivated the tenacity that defines my work as an artist.
My mother, Mary Louise Leach (1945-2003), was a pivotal mentor when I began to paint. My father, Bill Leach (Retired, Lieutenant-General, CMM, CD, 1942-2015), had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a logistician, they provided me with a unique upbringing. My mother was an accomplished artist, her work was collected nationally and internationally, with over 25 pieces in the Beaverbrook Art Collection of War Art at the Canadian War Museum. She was commissioned through the Canadian Armed Forces Civilian Artist Program (CAFCAP) and later created a series of paintings depicting military family life, part of the War Museum’s permanent collection. Throughout her career, she balanced her military commissions with traditional landscape painting.
In the mid-1980s, she embarked on two trailblazing artistic expeditions to Canada’s far North—remarkable accomplishments for women artists of her time. She was also the founder of the Canadian Miniature Society of Artists (CMS) and a member of the Royal Miniature Society of Artists (RMS).
Since 2005, I’ve dedicated myself to the fine arts, building on my lifelong journey as an artist while charting my own path. Growing up in a creative environment where art and nature were central to my life, I’ve built upon the foundation my mother started, adding my own voice and vision.
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. These experiences not only shaped my early work but continue to influence my approach today. Both then and now, my artwork highlights the importance of these areas, with conservation and preservation often taking 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.
CREATIVE VISION
You can find select pieces of my Original artwork at the following Locations at these times and dates:
Art Factory Warehouse Gallery
Nov 1 - Dec 21st 2024
11 Bridge St. Renfrew, Ontario
Wed - Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Capital Art Fair
Nov 25 - Dec 27st 2024
71 Sparks St.
Downtown Ottawa, Ontario
one block south of Parliament Hill
7 days a week
10 am - 6pm
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 and would like to know where you can find it, feel free to contact me.
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. Click the button below to see current artwork.