Skip to content
  • HOME
  • About Ellen Leigh
    • My Life So Far
    • Nice Notes
  • Fine Art Paintings
    • Gallery of Artwork
    • Portraits to Love
  • The Gift
    • Why I Paint
    • Signatures
  • CONTACT ELLEN LEIGH
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
Stenciled soffit- Apples and Elderberries. by Ellen Leigh.

Drunken Apples

Posted on October 26, 2009February 19, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Michigan apples are great this year, we picked up a whole bushel of Northern Spies on Saturday for eating, cooking and baking. Sunday afternoon was spent peeling, coring and slicing, cooking and tasting. Great stuff to add to tasty meals [ . . . ]

Posted in Personal, recipeTagged apples, kitchen, recipeLeave a comment
My version of a well known shot in the Cnyonlands National Park in Utah prints available on FAA

Colorado Rocks!

Posted on October 13, 2009February 19, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Photos of Colorado and Utah Talk about inspiring!!!! My favorite guy took me on a wonderful trip out west last week to parts of Colorado and Utah and we had an amazing time. We flew into Denver and after spending [ . . . ]

Posted in inspiration, landscape, Personal, PhotographyTagged Colorado, Photography, photos, travel, UtahLeave a comment
Cartoon Monkeys Wall Mural

Hey, hey, we’re the monkeys!

Posted on July 28, 2009February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Cartoon Monkeys Wall Mural Toooooo cute! A new client asked me to paint this adorable cartoon monkeys wall mural in the guest room she created for her three little granddaughters. Beautiful bright colors, cartoon trees and monkeys to coordinate with [ . . . ]

Posted in Children, muralsTagged cartoon, children, monkeyLeave a comment
Ceiling medallions to match fixtures by Ellen Leigh

Metallic Medallions

Posted on July 28, 2009February 22, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Painted Ceiling Medallions A client brought me a small challenge last week- to paint some stock ceiling medallions he and his wife had purchased to match the canopies of their new ceiling fixtures (the smaller round item at the top). [ . . . ]

Posted in faux, inspirationTagged ceiling, faux, medallionLeave a comment
A Little Beach 48 x 84 fine art painting by Ellen Leigh depicting a young family and their dog walking on a beach.

Walking on the Beach Painting

Posted on January 7, 2008February 19, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Nearly Finished I’ve been enjoying working on this new beach painting commission I got just before Christmas. Originally the family wanted a wall mural, but is considering moving house in a few years and they don’t want to leave the [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, inspiration, landscape, muralsTagged beach, fine art, landscape4 Comments

Tuscan Countryside Painting

Posted on October 24, 2007February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

I had a really hard time leaving this work- When the client contacted me to discuss the project, I was intrigued. She wanted a painting for her den wall, but didn’t want it on canvas- but it needed to be [ . . . ]

Posted in inspiration, muralsTagged landscape, mural, Tuscan, window murals, wineLeave a comment
Fairies 42 x 72 fine art painting by Ellen Leigh

Landscape with Fairies

Posted on September 15, 2007February 22, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

 Painting Fantasy Art This one has been in the studio for a few weeks now. I worked on it off and on while I worked on other things outside of the studio. Completely finished now, it is scheduled for delivery [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, inspiration, landscapeTagged fairies, fine art, landscape4 Comments
how to protect a painted wall mural

What happens when…

Posted on February 27, 2007February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

…the kitchen gets an update? (or how to protect a painted wall mural) I originally painted this mural several years ago, and they have always loved it, and still do. The problem was- the homeowners wanted to both repaint the [ . . . ]

Posted in Decor and Design, inspiration, muralsTagged kitchen, mural2 Comments
Ding room cabinet wall mural by Ellen Leigh

Dining Room Cabinet Wall Mural

Posted on February 18, 2007February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

I was pretty busy this past week painting a very interesting dining room cabinet wall mural: This cabinet is just full of things that have very special meaning to members of the family. Favorite books, hobbies like baking, softball and [ . . . ]

Posted in Decor and Design, inspiration, muralsTagged cabinet, dining room, muralLeave a comment
Wind blown apple tree wall mural by Ellen Leigh

Windblown Apple Tree Wall Mural

Posted on February 10, 2007February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

  This week I had the opportunity to paint a gnarly old wind blown apple tree wall mural in a lovely apartment. The lady was an absolute joy to work for, and had the nicest cat that kept me company [ . . . ]

Posted in Decor and Design, inspiration, muralsTagged dining room, landscape, mural2 Comments

Posts navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

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

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Search this Site

Archives

Copyright Ellen Leigh 2023

Ellen’s Other Blogs

  • Three Quarter Pi Farm
  • In the Garden
  • The Adventures of Bea & Byrdie
Create Pro by Catch Themes
Scroll Up