Leigh Vardanega’s paintings are deeply influenced by the coastal and bush environment, as well as her nostalgic recollections of formative years spent by the sea. Her artistic style can be described as abstract, although it often incorporates realistic elements, consistently showcasing a connection to nature.
Leigh is drawn to texture, pattern and colour. The patina of a weathered surface, lichen or peeling bark, markings on a palm tree, cracks in a footpath - Leigh captures these elements through her photography or etching them into her memories.
Leigh’s artistic process is intuitive and her artworks evolve organically. Her paintings are multi-layered, and textured, layers are scratched, scraped, and glazed to reveal a tapestry of rich textures and vibrant hues. Initially working with blocks of colour and pencil markings, her abstract landscapes gradually take shape as she adds layers of paint, collage, glazes and often finishing with oil stick.
Above all, Leigh's art is driven by a desire to evoke joy and inspire an appreciation of the natural world.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2023 - Sydney Road Gallery - In The Frame
2023 - Affordable Art Fair, Sydney
2023 - Sydney Road Gallery - 6th Birthday Show
2023 – ‘Petite Pieces’ finalist – Aspire Gallery, Qld
2023 – ‘Toowoomba Grammar Art Show’, Qld
2022 – Northern Beaches Creative Open
2022 – ‘La Primavera’- group exhibition, The Brush Artists
2022 – ‘In Our Nature’- group exhibition, The Brush Artists
2022 – ‘Common Ground’ – Gallery 109 Manly
2022 - ‘Land & Sea’ - group exhibition, Diversarty - Cromer NSW
2021 - ‘Wish’ - group online exhibition, The Brush Artists
2021 - ‘Window Only Series’ - Gallery 109 - Manly NSW
2020 - ‘Passions & Places’ - group exhibition - Be Brave Art Space - Avalon NSW
