Leigh Witherell - United States
Leigh Witherell, born in Denver City, Texas, in 1969, brings a unique blend of heartfelt emotion and perceptive insight to every canvas. Growing up on the expansive plains of Texas, her early life was defined by the simplicity and warmth of small-town living. Despite a lack of material wealth, Leigh’s close-knit extended family instilled in her a deep appreciation for creativity—a value that would guide her throughout her artistic journey.
Her artistic aspirations began to take shape during her university years. With a BA in English, an MA in Literature, and a Minor in Fine Art, her academic background initially leaned towards the literary arts. However, it was during this period that Leigh discovered visual art as a form of conversation—an opportunity to express the many stories she carried within her. This realization marked the beginning of her commitment to art as a means of storytelling.
Though her family had modest ties to the arts, Leigh charted her own path. She started her career as a college instructor while balancing the demands of motherhood. A pivotal moment came with her relocation to Florida, where she embraced a slower pace of life. This transition allowed her the space to reconnect with her artistic passions, solidifying art as her true calling.
Leigh’s work is deeply rooted in the figurative impressionist style, reflecting her desire to evoke raw and honest emotions. Her focus on figurative art, rather than traditional portraiture, enables her to capture the essence of her subjects, portraying the human form in a way that resonates on a universal level. Utilizing technology as a modern sketchbook, Leigh distills her creative process to its core: exploring human connection and the emotions that exist “in between the words.”
Her journey to developing a unique artistic technique has been one of exploration and refinement. By integrating elements from various styles, Leigh has cultivated an authentic voice that allows her to uncover narratives that often remain unspoken. She portrays individuals through their stories rather than their appearances, giving her work a profound depth.
Leigh’s projects often delve into deeply emotional and socially relevant themes. Her work with grieving parents, while emotionally challenging, provides a meaningful outlet for expression during times of turmoil. In parallel, she responds to current events, reimagining classic Impressionist works within a contemporary context. This duality grounds her art in timeless themes while engaging with present-day discourse.
Her dedication has earned her recognition across multiple platforms, including Contemporary Art Curator Magazine's Future Global Artist Award, features in Artist Talk Magazine, and exhibitions at the Orlando Museum of Modern Art, among others. While her work has yet to attract significant collectors, Leigh views this as a challenge rather than an obstacle, channeling her focus into continued growth and innovation.
Leigh Witherell’s art transcends aesthetic appeal, aiming to spark dialogue and reflection. She believes in art’s capacity to educate and inspire, transforming galleries into spaces of discussion and introspection. As her journey continues to evolve, her ultimate goal remains clear: to see her art exhibited in the most prestigious venues worldwide, reaching diverse audiences and fostering conversations through the universal language of imagery.
On your artistic journey:
What initially drew you to figurative impressionism, and how would you describe the evolution of your artistic practice over the years?
What drew me to this style was simply showing people living their lives in particular moments. The figurative approach allows me to show people who are relatable to anyone merely because they don't resemble any one person. Impressionism enables me to be a little more abstract in my background so that the focus remains on the emotional aspect of the figures. These more abstract backgrounds lend a more unifying experience when observers look into the composition. I hope that the observers can say, “That could be my village, my city, my home,” thereby prompting what I hope would be an internal questioning of how they think and feel about those places and people.
Your work often delves into deeply intimate and emotional themes. What inspired you to focus on such personal and profound subject matter?
Recently, I did an exercise where I tried to look at my artworks as an observer and noticed an underlying theme of longing permeated most of those works. I started thinking about this as I went about my practice and everyday life and why that longing is present. When I stumbled on the answer, it was like this cliché moment where it all made sense. I just realized that longing has permeated my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up without financial stability, and economic disadvantages dominated the area I grew up in, so longing was a way of life. I internalized it for so long in my adult life because I felt guilty having that feeling. I have a long and happy marriage (36 years), two beautiful children, and a beautiful daughter-in-law. I have had one career, and now I can live my passion. Why should I long for anything? But I have realized that for me, longing is not a deficiency. It is the way my creativity manifests itself. Longing is about desire, hope, pain, and destiny, which isn't a negative for me. I have turned longing into a tool to use in my art.
How did your personal loss in 2021 shape your perspective as an artist and influence the themes you explore in your work?
My bio calls the death of our daughter at 32 a “seismic event” in life, which is not an exaggeration. As a parent, we just assume that we will die first. It's the circle of life, how it should be. Her death was so random and unexpected it stripped away every internal defense I had ever used in my life as a coping mechanism. I felt guilty every day that I woke up. I cried, which was not something I did before, and I was left very exposed and very raw. It was traumatic, and trauma changed me as a human. I did quite a lot of fluid art for the first year. The chaotic and unpredictable result of fluid art was helpful because I was learning to let go of control. I needed that lesson to begin to put together this new person I am becoming. Her death was so profoundly life-altering that I look at myself as two people, the “before” and the “after.” That notion is reflected in my work through these figures and sometimes just through landscapes or objects. I try to show these feelings in my compositions as everyday moments to show that it is in the everyday that we find our authenticity.
Having participated in artistic residencies like the Buinho Creative Hub in Portugal, how have these experiences enriched your creative process?
This residency was amazing for me. It allowed me to get outside my studio, meet other artists, and experience another culture. Surprisingly, it was also the first time as an adult that I was truly alone for an extended period, which was enlightening. I had to figure out how to process and document my feelings without my haven (my family). I needed that residency then to make forward leaps in my style.
On your style and technique:
Your use of earthy tones and dynamic brushstrokes has become a signature of your work. How did you develop this distinctive style?
I have never been attracted to flashy colors or materials. It's not who I am as an artist or person. I like the calming presence earth tones bring to my compositions, but sometimes these colors act as a direct contradiction to the figures, and it gives the observer time to reflect on what is happening. Earth tones allow for quiet reflection. They don't shout at you. My brushstrokes are more challenging to answer. Truthfully, I never really thought about it, but it is something that is mentioned a lot. I believe my brushstroke is just an extension of my personality. I try to be defined and intentional, and I like that to come through in my work.
You primarily work with acrylics. What is it about this medium that resonates with you and helps bring your vision to life?
I love the vibrancy of acrylics. They bring a color to life, and the texture is fantastic. Even though I keep an earthy palette, the colors pop on the canvas. I like that, even though my compositions are much quieter. They are more challenging to overlook because of the inherent characteristics of acrylics.
Many of your paintings seem to tell a story or capture a moment frozen in time. How do you approach distilling such intricate emotions into a single frame?
I try to focus on the emotions of the composition narrowly. If I try to show too much of the scenery or background, the figures can be lost, and the emotions will be muted. It is not always comfortable to paint like this because some emotional subject matter is controversial in society. Still, this is the best way to encourage the observer to look at the figures and what they are saying and to discuss subjects that just aren't discussed. Even if that conversation is entirely internal, the observer is talking and meditating on the topic, and that's amazing to me.
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