Bio

Leigh grew up in a family of artists, farmers, and educators on a cattle ranch in Bozeman, Montana. She spent most of her adult life in the Pacific Northwest, and moved to the sunny Southwest from the rugged Oregon Coast in 2017. She has been immersed in art since she was a small child. Throughout her life she has explored weaving, painting, jewelry fabrication, film and digital photography, and has degrees in Landscape Design and Film Production. She was an active member of the renowned Darkroom Group at Lightbox Photographic Gallery in Astoria, Oregon, and has shown her photography and fiber art in multiple group and solo shows in Oregon, New Mexico, and Texas. She is continually inspired by her travels, road trips off the beaten path, and the natural environment. She is a Harwood Art Center SURFACE: Emerging Artist of New Mexico of 2023 and a member of New Mexico Women in the Arts. She currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she weaves, grows succulents, takes photos, and spends time exploring with her crazy rescue animals.

Artist Statement

I am intrigued by the history, human connection, and value of fiber art in all aspects of everyday life. Weaving is one of the most ancient art forms spanning across cultures, not only bringing beauty into the world but keeping us warm, sheltered, and comfortable. Growing up in Montana, my mother was a weaver who used wheat stalks as her material. Our sinks and bathtub were always full of wheat soaking so it could be pliable enough to create sculptures and wall hangings. Weaving has always been relegated to “women’s work”, and downplayed as a craft. I truly believe that tapestry weaving is not only craft, but fine art.

Weaving is a very slow, thoughtful process and has become my meditation practice. I rhythmically layer multiple textures, colors and shapes line by line to create a modern representation of the ancient art form. The strands of fiber act as my painting and sculptural material. Each piece begins with a bold color palette and naturally unfolds as the colors flow into soft, tactile patterns. The tapestries blend many types of fiber including small batch, kettle dyed Merino wool, Love Fest Fibers sustainably sourced yarn from small, family run workshops in Nepal, Tibet, and New Zealand, and locally sourced hand-dyed, hand-spun wool.