My love of birds started when I was just a girl, lying on the grass in my backyard, watching homing pigeons swirl in rhythmic flight above me. There was something about the freedom in their movement, the ease and grace with which they danced through the sky, that lit something deep inside me. I felt joy. Real, uncontainable joy.

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That love only grew stronger as I rescued birds on my bike, bringing them to the local vet, or caring for them myself. One of my most vivid memories is picking up a stunned dove standing motionless in the middle of the road. I sat it in my lap as I drove to a wildlife rescue centre, the whole car filled with the sound of its cooing. It was wild and beautiful and felt like such a holy moment.

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That’s what I want to share through my art: the awe, the delight, and the gentle presence of our Creator reflected in every brushstroke. When I paint birds, I hope they draw you in, not just to admire the detail of feathers or the texture of oil on canvas, but to glimpse the artistry of God Himself.

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Creating has always been a place of rest and renewal for me. When I paint, it’s like the noise of the world fades and I enter a kind of blissful stillness. I lose track of time. I come alive. That’s the gift I want to offer others, especially those who think they aren’t "creative" or who’ve forgotten how to play. Whether you're five or seventy-five, there is freedom and healing in making something with your hands.

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After more than 30 years working in business and community services – much of it alongside young people experiencing homelessness – I’ve come to see that supporting others starts with giving myself permission to create from the heart. That’s what I’m doing now: coming home to my inner child, Leigh, who used to fill notebooks with stories and cover paper with paintings. And I want to invite others to do the same.

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So I’m offering art classes, immersive workshops, and creative spaces for kids and adults in Lilydale, Wesburn, Warburton, and Millgrove. Whether you’re learning how to draw for the first time or returning to something you loved long ago, I’d love to welcome you in.

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And if you're just here to enjoy the beauty of birds, I hope my oil paintings bring you joy, comfort, and a deeper sense of wonder.

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You’ll find me most weekends at local markets: on the first Sunday of the month at The Valley Market in Warburton (behind the Arts Centre), and the third Saturday at the Millgrove Market. Come by and say hi, I’d love to meet you.

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With love,
Leigh