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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

Patina ~ old rusted car art

Posted on November 7, 2014February 7, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

I have a fascination with the effects of time and the elements on objects. Oxidized metals, layers of decay, erosion, rust and fading paint all interest me. I call it ‘Old Rusted Car Art’- it’s just gorgeous to me, the [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, For Sale, PhotographyTagged artwork, automobile, car, colorful, patina, photographLeave a comment
Basketball graphic Mural by Ellen Leigh

Basketball Jones ~ basketball graphic mural

Posted on August 11, 2014February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Here’s a simple little project I picked up through Thumbtack. A basketball graphic mural is the feature wall in this boy’s nursery in Northville, Michigan. This design will certainly grow with the child. With a brand new house and a [ . . . ]

Posted in Children, murals, nurseryTagged basketball, boys, children, nursery, sportsLeave a comment
Just one of the murals I've been painting this year, I've been busy!

Whew! I’ve been busy!

Posted on July 14, 2014February 9, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

Long time no blogpost! It’s been a busy, busy, busy spring and summer for me here so far, lots of different projects from murals to fine art, garden design, drafting, big sewing projects, design and color consults and lots and [ . . . ]

Posted in inspiration, PersonalTagged business1 Comment
Cock a doodle door detail Mural by Ellen Leighof Chanticleer the rooster.

Rooster Art Door!

Posted on July 11, 2014September 15, 2020 by Ellen Leigh

While working on the Beach scene, we brainstormed late into the night one evening to come up with an alternative to painting the exterior of the front doors. A similar scene to the one we had planned on the interior [ . . . ]

Posted in faux, murals, WIPTagged door, mural, rooster, stencil, wood1 Comment
detail

Waking up on the Beach

Posted on June 14, 2014February 11, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

After completing the Hacienda Door, I moved my tools and equipment up to the second condo and went home for the week-end. The original plan was to paint the front doors to the condo, but in light of the issues [ . . . ]

Posted in landscape, muralsTagged beach, bedroom, landscape, mural4 Comments
close-up of window detail in hacienda door by Ellen Leigh

Hacienda Door

Posted on June 6, 2014February 11, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

I love Grand Rapids! So when I was contacted to discuss traveling there again to visit friends to discuss work on their new condo, I was excited! A few years ago I had done some work at their first condo [ . . . ]

Posted in Decor and Design, muralsTagged distressed, door, landscape, wood, wrought iron1 Comment
Waterlilies art and a bridge, a soothing mural in a memory care home bathing room. Mural by Ellen Leigh

Waterlilies Art

Posted on April 9, 2014February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

I got a call from one of my subscribers asking if I could paint a mural in a bathroom. Not just any bathroom, this one is in a convalescent home specializing in the care of people who have dementia or [ . . . ]

Posted in commercial, landscape, muralsTagged bathroom, commercial, landscape, murals3 Comments

Red Poppies Art for Sale

Posted on March 28, 2014February 11, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

There’s just something about red poppies art that people like. Maybe it’s the bright, cheerful color, or maybe it’s their simple shape and soft delicate petals. Below are a couple of smaller paintings inspired by a larger commissioned work I [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, For Sale, landscapeTagged fine art, flowers, landscapeLeave a comment

Fine Art Painted Tiles

Posted on March 10, 2014February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

A few weeks ago a woman called me with a challenge, and I love a challenge! She had a seriously boring floor of 12 by 12 inch ceramic tiles and wondered if I could paint them. I have painted tile [ . . . ]

Posted in fine art, landscape, muralsTagged beach, fine art, flowers, landscape5 Comments
Xander's road construction zone art mural. Cartoonish equipment and road with city in the background. Mural by Ellen Leigh

Construction Zone Art

Posted on February 21, 2014February 26, 2015 by Ellen Leigh

I love when parents have great ideas for their kid’s play spaces! I was called recently to discuss a small back-ground mural for a lower level playroom (I’ll blog about that next week, after it’s done). After we decided what [ . . . ]

Posted in Children, muralsTagged boys, cartoon, children, muralLeave a 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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  • Three Quarter Pi Farm
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