Cheryl Leach

I am a busy mother, teacher, and artist, always on the go and juggling many roles. Drawing has been a passion of mine since childhood, offering me an escape during times of ill health. My love for painting brought me to Bristol, where I completed a Fine Art degree at the wonderful UWE. Creativity is an integral part of my daily life, and for the past six years, I’ve dedicated myself to developing my art practice. Through consistent effort, I’ve worked to refine my unique style, and I hope to continue this journey—making meaningful connections with others and sharing my work with the world.

My work delves into my surroundings—whether a physical space, a fleeting memory, or an internal place of peace. Through a blend of carefully chosen colours and intuitive, expressive marks, each piece reflects my personal journey. I hope that by sharing this, others can find connections to their own experiences and stories. I am drawn to the flat, vibrant colour of gouache, using it to create controlled, thoughtful shapes that evoke a sense of calm and place. This is contrasted by the spontaneous, fluid gestures of acrylic ink, which introduce an element of chance and chaos. Together, these materials create a style that is uniquely mine—an ongoing balance between calm and flux, reflecting the dynamic yet peaceful rhythm of my world.

Growing up on a farm in Mid Wales, I’ve developed a profound, almost spiritual connection to the land I call home. Despite attempts to move away, the beauty and unique magic of this place always draw me back. My paintings are deeply rooted in nature and the outdoors, where I absorb the shapes, colours, lines, and patterns that surround me. The creative process begins with this immediate, intuitive response to the environment. I capture reference photos or quickly sketch compositions, and then return to the studio to immerse myself in the work, allowing these impressions to unfold and come to life.