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fine art by Ellen Leigh, an artist and muralist in South East Michigan, Ann Arbor area

Ellen Leigh

Fine art in Clinton, Michigan

Ellen Leigh ~ Michigan fine artist in Clinton, Tecumseh, Ann Arbor, Saline, Northville, Livonia, and other areas. Call for free consultation.

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work.”

~Emile Zola

"In Memory" by Ellen Leigh 39 x 25

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” Henry Ward Beecher

Out here in rural Michigan, I am surrounded by the beauty of the land and nature, the peace and serenity of a quieter life, and I try to evoke those feelings in my paintings. I am inspired by nature and the beauty of God’s creation. I take a lot of photographs that I use as reference for my work, but fine art captures the beauty around us better than any photograph ever could.

A painting starts with an inspiring scene or combination of scenes, an idea, a feeling. Working from the background to the foreground in acrylic paints, I am able to layer glazes and brush strokes on the canvas rather quickly. Glazes create a very beautiful and surreal depth to my work. Because the paints dry quickly, I am able to complete a painting in my studio in a matter of days.

Those who enjoy art for its ability to transport them to a different, more peaceful place and time will best appreciate my interpretation of landscapes and scenes. Commissioned works capture memories of people, places and pets and are treasured for a lifetime.

Be inspired by the fine artistry and murals of Michigan artist Ellen Leigh
furniture makeovers with paint- stained glass sash

Abused and beautiful

Posted on May 20, 2011February 15, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Furniture Makeovers with Paint These pieces of antique furniture certainly had seen better days. The finish was half worn off, crazed and just awful. The client is really into the shabby chic, creamy and antiqued look right now, so she [ . . . ]

Posted in Decor and Design, faux, furnitureTagged distressed, faux, furnitureLeave a comment
Peace fine art painting by Ellen Leigh

How to achieve ‘Peace’

Posted on March 2, 2011February 15, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Lake Michigan Beach Artwork There’s just something about the beach that is so calming and so peaceful. I gave myself a special challenge with this piece- to paint entirely from memory and try to create a contemplative work that would [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, landscape, WIPTagged beach, fine art, landscape, water, wavesLeave a comment
Potted Gerber Daisies, Climbing Wisteria are pretty details in this nursery Mural by Ellen Leigh

Garden Nursery Mural

Posted on March 2, 2011February 15, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

What a sweet little baby girl’s room this will be! This young couple found me on the internet, gave me a call to discuss their dreams and ideas for their baby girl’s nursery mural. I just adore creating a calming [ . . . ]

Posted in Children, nurseryTagged children, flowers, nursery1 Comment
Sunset on the Farm-farm artwork

Sunset on the Farm

Posted on February 3, 2011February 15, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Farm Artwork for Sale There’s just something about rural areas that just seem to speak to me. Maybe it’s something in the genes- I do come from a bit of a farming background, and still have many relatives on my [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, house portrait, landscapeTagged farm, fine art, landscapeLeave a comment
Great Smoky Mountains artwork "Morning in the Smokies' 18 x 24 by Ellen Leigh

Morning in the Smokies

Posted on January 5, 2011February 21, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

 Great Smoky Mountains Artwork and Prints As the year came to a close, I was inspired to take a short trip back to the Smokies and try to capture the beauty that surrounded us there on our trip down south [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, landscape, WIPTagged fine art, landscape, waterfallLeave a comment
Colorado landscape paintingTrough Road Detour by Ellen Leigh

Trough Road Detour 2

Posted on December 22, 2010February 16, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Traveling the back roads of Colorado you can see some of the most amazing landscapes. Vast meadows and hills at the foot of the mountains, not a soul around for miles, listening to only the wind in the fields, and [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, landscapeTagged Colorado, fine art, landscape, trough roadLeave a comment
Trough Road triptych artwork Detour 3 8 x 10 fine art painting by Ellen Leigh, part of a triptych, in private collection, prints available on FAA

Trough Road Triptych

Posted on December 17, 2010February 22, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Sometimes it’s good to challenge yourself. The beautiful views in Colorado can be difficult to capture unless you have a panoramic view camera. Trough Road Triptych   Trough Road III The sheer vastness of the mountains, meadows and canyons are [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, landscapeTagged Colorado, fine art, landscape, trough roadLeave a comment
Distressed Crackled Paint Finish by Ellen Leigh on new cabinetry

Making the new look old

Posted on November 19, 2010February 16, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Distressed Crackled Paint Finish This is a subtle look for a couple who like to collect old timeworn antiques. I used a multi-step distressed crackled paint finish to achieve the look they wanted on a wall of storage in their [ . . . ]

Posted in faux, furnitureTagged crackled, custom stencil, distressed, faux, furnitureLeave a comment
Abused and tossed table re vived with a Faux Granite tabletop transformation by Ellen Leigh

Taken for Granite

Posted on October 28, 2010February 22, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Ta-da!!! I am sooooo excited about this table and it’s faux granite tabletop transformation. I remember the first time I saw it as a curb shopping friend took it out of the back of his truck a few years ago [ . . . ]

Posted in furnitureTagged faux, furniture, graniteLeave a comment
painted finish dresser by Ellen Leigh

Dresser redo

Posted on October 11, 2010February 16, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Painted Finish Dresser Not bad for a $5.00 investment. I got this old child’s chifforobe dresser in 1982 at a garage sale somewhere. A painted finish dresser that had been antiqued a medium blue called my name.  It was in [ . . . ]

Posted in furnitureTagged distressed, furniture1 Comment

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Ellen Leigh.com

This web site was designed to be a way to show people what inspires me, how the work I do is created and spark some ideas for their own homes and businesses. Just give me a call or drop me an e-mail to discuss it.

Original art by Ellen Leigh can be seen in many local homes and businesses, as well as in western Michigan, Ohio, Colorado and Wisconsin. I am also available for fine art commissions.

Contact Ellen Leigh Today

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