Meet Leigh

"I don't use a slide projector, light box or camera obscura to begin the structure of my art. I draw and paint with my 'mind's eye'."

Eye to Hand Art

Eye to Hand Art I am an eye-to-hand artist. For me, the true alchemy of creation happens in that direct, intuitive connection between vision and hand. While many artists rely on mechanical aids, I choose to protect the magic that emerges when imagination flows straight onto the surface.

Inspiration

My work is deeply rooted in the wild beauty of the Cape — the intricate fynbos, the restless sea, the ancient mountains, and the creatures and people who inhabit these landscapes. Myths, legends, and stories from both nature and human experience weave through every piece.

I draw inspiration from the classics and Pre-Raphaelites, as well as the golden age illustrators like Maxfield Parrish and Arthur Rackham. More contemporary influences include the intricate worlds of Mœbius, Mark Ryden, James Jean, Patrick Woodroffe, and many others who blend wonder with technical mastery.

Mediums & Style

I work across a wide range of materials — traditional oils on canvas, soft pastels on paper, acrylics on panel, digital art, and beyond. What unites them is my love of tiny, exquisite detail, rich colour, dramatic contrast, and a mystical atmosphere that invites the viewer to linger and discover hidden stories.

Ethos and Message 

Every artwork carries its own quiet story or ethos. At its heart, my art honours the mystical side of nature, the planets and stars above us, and the extraordinary gift of our senses to experience it all. Through detail, colour, and contrast, I aim to draw you in and share a moment of reverence for this beautiful universe we are part of.