Penny Leach

My works are built through decisions regarding color, texture and luminosity. By layering colors and allowing each field to render itself achieves a particular mood and message. The objective for each piece is to balance clarity and simplicity with excitement and motion. 



“To create a compelling piece of art it must be challenging, comforting and edgy-qualities that singularly would seem to be in direct opposition to each other but are absolutely critical to include and carefully balance. To achieve this outcome the process of art requires intuitively layering foundations of color and then strategically editing and embellishing the work until the “magic” is achieved.” My works are best located in well light areas where the colors comprising the foundation of the painting can be brought forward. The overall effect is a sense of burnishing and illumination, like a candle in the room. 



“My mind’s eye” is informed by life’s experience- living in Peru, Africa, Montreal, Toronto, an extended period of time in Britain and traveling frequently to southern California and Mexico drives me to create depth and broaden my use of color. My great heros are French modernists and the impressionists who were so successful in capturing light.



An artist is constantly searching for the achievement of magic in their work. Only the artist knows when it has arrived. I liken a successful painting to more of a “place” than a product. If the artist gets to that “place” and sustains it for the duration of the painting the piece will be finished; it will be complete; it will be an extension of oneself. It will be part of one’s soul.”