Kia Ora, I'm Leigh Marie
Ever since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the shifting colours of skies, rivers, hills, and forests. Based in the sunny Tasman region of Aotearoa, New Zealand, I channel that lifelong wonder into vivid, joy filled art.
My work is bright, bold, and unapologetically optimistic. A celebration of the landscapes that inspire us and the emotions they awaken. I believe art should uplift, spark joy, and deepen our connection to the natural world.
Each painting begins with a sketch, a memory, or the way light hits a certain place. I wander & gather photos, colour palettes, moods & textures. Then bring them back to my studio, where they become inspiration for my work
How Did Leigh Marie Start?
Entirely self taught, I’ve shaped my own colourful path one brushstroke & creative leap at a time.
It all began with pencil portraits, sketching friends, family, and celebrities for fun. I started sharing my work on Instagram, and that little spark of creativity grew into something bigger.
In high school, I took art for NCEA where mandatory painting nearly crushed my love for making (I had been working exclusively in graphite and colour pencils up to this point)
But instead of walking away, I kept going. I experimented with oil paints and gouache, slowly rediscovering my passion and, most importantly, falling in love with colour all over again
My Next Steps
In 2019, I started dabbling in digital drawing, and in 2020 everything changed when I got my first iPad. I downloaded Procreate, and I haven’t looked back since. Digital art became one of my favourite ways to create. Compact, clean & easy to pick up and put down whenever inspiration strikes.
That said, I still adore the chaos and magic of traditional painting. The messy palettes, textures & hands on play. Today, I happily bounce between both worlds, creating vivid, joy filled art inspired by nature, movement, and memory.
Whether you're here to find a piece that speaks to your heart or to collaborate on something truly personal, I can't wait to share this colour filled journey with you.