Meet Leigh.
Art has been part of my life since I was very young. I was blessed enough to be surrounded by creative people who were writers, musicians, gardeners, and painters. I was especially fortunate to grow up next door to my Aunt Laura. Laura was a teacher by profession and an artist by nature and besides painting and drawing throughout her life she has explored everything from pottery to macrame to batik. Luckily for me, she was only too glad to take me along on the journey with her.
Her gift to me and all of my siblings and cousins was to never act like our art was any less important than hers. She never pawned us off with children's art supplies and projects. One of my earliest memories was, at the age of five, being on the front porch of my grandmother's house sitting at an easel painting with Aunt Laura's professional oil paints.
​
As far as my personal life goes, I am a single mother of three very fine young adults and I live in Asheville, North Carolina, where I am blessed to see the mountains everyday as well as live in a community of artistic and tolerant people. My favorite activity is having adventures with my grandson, Rory, and my granddaughter, Sylvie, who I luckily get to see two or three times a week. I hope to be the Aunt Laura in their lives.
​
A few years ago, Aunt Laura had several severe strokes. I was so worried about her spirits. Due to her health she had, in a very short time, had to move away from her home and her friends, give up her dog, and had even lost the use of her right arm and hand, her painting hand. Awkwardly struggling for something to say the first time I saw her, I kind of blurted out, "Well, what are you thinking about all this?" She said, "I'm thinking this will be my abstract period." Among all the other lessons she gave me, Aunt Laura has taught me to always try to live in a place of hope and joy.
I try to express that through my paintings. I hope you will come back often and see what is new. Please feel free to contact me with your questions, ideas, or just to say hi.
Artistic Inspiration
I have always seen the world and remembered the past in terms of colors. Sunny golden days when my brothers and I rolled down the hill in front of our house in our sleeping bags. Windy gray green days when we built tents in the hall upstairs and pretended to go camping. The crystal white day when my little brother arrived as a newborn over the hill in a wheelbarrow because of a snowstorm. Always it is the color that stays in my mind the most. That is why I love watercolors so much. The color is pure and true and gorgeous as soon as the brush touches the page. It is a mistake to try and control it. You have to let it have its way and surprise you.
Early Painting
My Aunt Laura
The book that made me love watercolor
