Anne Leith
Studio #17
I am a painter of places.
For many years I have painted plein-air oil paintings. Landscape is my primary subject matter. In my in-studio practice I often paint imaginary places that go beyond the ‘real’ and cross into fantasy. I work my paintings until they have that curious vibrating balance: between the recognizable image, abstraction, and that moment of achieving a beautiful painted surface.
10 years ago, I began incorporating metallic leaf into my work. The metal areas add a dynamic dimension, reflecting color and light, shifting from light to dark, depending on the light source. In the landscapes it can bring a river or a sky to life
The immense pleasure that I get from making art is unlike any other activity. I hope the viewer experiences a similar pleasure when they look at my work.
Stories & Insights
Meet Anne Leith
Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anne Leith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I always made art. From the joy of finding the sharpened pencil and paper pad in the desk drawer as a child while visiting the grandparents – to the production of an unwanted large abstract painting on my family’s living-room wall – it was always my thing. Growing up, I was lucky to have good teachers and professors who encouraged independent thinking and understood materials.
I did a lot of fine arts education over the years. I have an BA from Mills College in Studio Arts, an MFA in Painting from the U. of PA, and an MA in Art History (Post-War and Contemporary Art) from Sotheby’s Institute, London (U. of Manchester).
I have worked in many jobs: Manager of International Planning and Operations at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NY; also, working internationally for NextMonet.com (one of the first online art sales platforms for contemporary art c2001). I was Adjunct Professor of art, art history and art education at Rosemont College in PA for over 8 years. I worked for the PA Art Conservatory for 4 years doing art restoration on paintings. Other jobs included international gallery jobs in London/NY, working at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for 4 months on a scholarship while writing my MA dissertation on Mannequins, and – being a cheese monger at Wegmans.
