About Leigh

Hi! I’m Leigh

When I was in 5th grade (long ago) I listed my future plans as being an artist. I studied studio art in college, took a few career detours, made jewelry, took workshops, taught jewelry construction, and taught general art classes. Now, I concentrate on painting scenes from local rivers.

I live in North Carolina, USA along the NE Cape Fear River. Marshes and rivers are the inspiration and obsession for my watercolor mixed media paintings.

When painting, I love the transparency and flow of watercolor paint on paper and making marks with inks and pencils.

Fun facts about Me:

1. I was born in Germany and moved to the US when I was 2 months old.

2. Yes, I’m a US citizen! My dad was in the Army and my parents got to choose my citizenship.

3. I’ve lived in North Carolina since then so I consider myself a Native

4. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was in college.

5. I’ve been a vegan since 2014—mostly! Sometimes I revert back to vegetarianism and eat cheese

6. Gold and indigo are my favorite colors

7. I love paper and often make my own sketchbooks

8. Ara Leigh is my name. Ara is a family name and in keeping with Southern Traditions, I’m named after my great-grandmother and my grandmother. I say my first name with a long A, A-Rah