Artist Statement

My work for the past 15 years has been a collection of a few of my favorite things: landscapes, figurative women, horses, birds, and flowers. I released all these series on February 2016 in a solo show at Ali Roberts Salon and Spa in Conyers, Georgia.  I have always been extremely inspired to paint through music. Each of these series is influenced by music but each piece reminds me of one specific musician who inspired me. There are many different reasons for each series. Each series represents my love for someone or place that has been significant in creating who I am. When I look at my horse paintings I feel like my horse’s spirit, Werbortus Fame, unintentionally resides. Many of my landscapes are inspired from years of going to Shellman’s Bluff, Georgia. The marsh and low country landscapes have always inspired me. As a child my nickname was Leigh Bird. My mom gave me this nickname because of my energetic and spontaneous energy. My bird series is dedicated to this nickname. 

About 2 years later, April 2018, I released another collection of work, The Masters tournament series. Growing up in Augusta I’ve always looked forward to April because of Masters week. The golf course is one of the most gorgeous courses in the world. It’s one of the few places that you cannot document, no phones or cameras are allowed during the tournament days. I think it’s a gift I’ve been able to go to so many tournaments throughout my life. I wanted to capture the feel and beauty of the course and share it with everyone. 

My current project Lean into the Magic has been developing for years. I haven’t released any new work in years and just focused on commissions and myself. At 25 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Dealing with this diagnosis I became depressed and stuck. This series is one of my most personal collections which I will release. Getting through chronic pain is a daily battle. My newfound love for hiking and backpacking has shown me a lot of love and light. To push through the pain and stay moving is key for inflammation alongside a healthy diet. Pushing through these days sometimes is extremely difficult. I have always loved nature and the outdoors. I am most inspired in these environments. Waking up on the trail and watching the sunrise is my biggest source for color inspiration. Within an hour I love experiencing how God creates beauty from light in the clouds and then again when the sun sets. I am inspired by the textures and sounds when I am on the trail. Not only through the sun and clouds during sunrises and sunsets do I have inspiration for color and expression but also from many moments on the trail. Looking up towards the sun through the canopy made from the branches and leaves while walking is an endless change in greens and movement. The way the light and shadows change to so many color greens as you walk by inspires different perspectives. The contrast and composition are ever changing while you walk. Surrounded by all-natural light and colors moves me and helps me stay true to myself in my paintings. This series is called Lean into the Magic because although uncomfortable and painful growth is, it isn’t until you lean into this discomfort do you grow, and life becomes magical. This was my mantra when climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp. Along with Everest I have completed the West Coast Trail and Sandias Mountain Loop. I am currently section hiking the Pinhoit Trail and find that every time I come off trail I am fulfilled with self-love and inspiration. I always find myself and discover love for my inner child and playfulness.

Through this transformation, self-love, adventure, and growth I have found myself falling into my inner child and comforting her. This is a battle we all face as we grow into ourselves and our true potential. This growth is an ever-ending process. Another part of life is death and losing the things we love dear. In grief I find it important to continue holding those and memories close to my heart. A recent loss in my life was my dog Blue. Like my horse Fame, Blue and I had an unconditional soul bond. He was my spirit guide and my soul guide. He passed away Jan 2024 and is with me always. He was my backpacking partner and best friend. I will honor his memory and incorporate him in my new work. Somewhere in each piece there will be a stroke of light blue, the same color blue as his eyes. 

My process of making my art is always changing. I continue to find new ways to move paint and express myself. A few things that stay constant in my process is after finding my inspiration I print out a few photos of the location, movement, and colors and put them around my studio. My process in choosing my colors has always stayed the same. I try to be in the moment and sporadic in color and choice. Sometimes I think about the final composition but mostly I let the color choice be free and driven by something I don’t even understand. Almost all my paintings consist of fifty to hundreds of layers. Each layer is a battle I have, from letting things stay and letting things go. In creating my art, I always find myself and techniques in different ways. In the past couple of years, I have discovered a new healed version of myself with each finished painting.