About the Artist

Leah is a self-taught painter who lives and works in Chicago, Illinois. In March of 2020, she picked up painting as a distraction from what was unfolding around the world. After a few months of fiddling around, accumulating a stack of terrible paintings, and learning from many mistakes, she realized she was developing a knack for working with oils and began to sell her work. 

Since January 2021, Leah has painted full-time. Her work can be seen at several businesses in the Chicago area and at local art fairs. In her free time, Leah can be found walking her dog, tending to her many plants, and binge-reading fiction novels. 

 

FAQ

How long does it usually take to finish a piece?

It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the size and complexity of the project. A 6x6 inch piece, for instance, takes me anywhere from 1 to 7 hours.

 

Did you go to art school?

No, I majored in journalism and political science at Indiana University. I have no formal art training but I do hope to take some workshops with artists I admire in 2023.

 

What influences and inspires you?

The work of other painters inspires me a lot, but in day-to-day life, I am especially inspired by observing all the interesting ways in which light falls and interacts with the world.

 

How did you find your art style?

The only answer to that is practice. It became more and more refined and identifiable with more and more time spent painting.

 

How did you get into art?

I always enjoyed drawing, but I started painting in March of 2020 when I was laid off due to the pandemic and needed a hobby to fill the time.

 

What mediums do you work with?

I almost always work with oil paint for the vibrance, texture, and blendability, but recently I've been enjoying playing with gouache.

 

How did you learn to paint?

Practice, random Youtube videos on subjects that I needed help with, wetcanvas.com forums, and books on painting.

 

What paper do you use for your prints?

My prints are giclée printed on Hahnemuhle bamboo fine art paper. This acid-free, archival matte paper is very lightly textured and heavyweight (290 gsm). It is a sustainable & environmentally-friendly paper.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, with the exception of COVID-related shipping restrictions that occasionally pop up for certain countries. Please be aware of any such restrictions in your country before ordering.

 

Do you sign your work?

I stamp the back of original paintings with my personal stamp. Prints are now shipped directly from my printers' studios, so they are no longer signed

 

How long does shipping take?

Prints typically dispatch within 1-4 business days. Original painting dispatch and shipping times vary depending on how recently the piece was completed (i.e. whether or not it needs time to dry/varnish) and where you're located. Drying can take up to three weeks. Domestic orders are usually delivered within 4 business days of dispatch. International orders vary more but usually arrive within two to three weeks of dispatch. I am a one-woman team so please be patient with shipping and handling times! :)

 

How are original paintings shipped?

All domestic orders of original paintings are shipped via USPS. They are wrapped in acid-free glassine paper and then wrapped in 2-3 layers of bubble wrap, then packaged in either a bubble wrap mailer or a box depending on size.

International orders of original works are mailed either with USPS or UPS, depending on the cost of the painting, location, and covid-related shipping bans (sometimes depending on location and cost of goods USPS doesn't offer shipping options).

 

Will I be charged customs/duty fees and import taxes?

There is always a possibility that international orders will be subject to customs fees/taxes, so please know the rules in your country. Customers are responsible for any customs/duty fees and taxes. Please remember to check your email and track your package so that there are no issues with failed deliveries or unpaid customs fees--it's never fun to see a package I shipped out weeks ago back on my porch* with a bunch of "failed delivery" stickers! If a package is returned to me due to the customer not paying the fees or taxes, the customer is responsible for shipping costs to ship again (and any fees/taxes incurred on the second attempt). Please inform yourself of potential costs in your country and be prepared to pay them immediately so that you don't have to pay for shipping twice, and so I don't have to pack and ship out your order twice.

 

A note for UK customers: As of November 2023, customs duty is assessed based on the fair market value of imported goods worth more than £135 (~$170) at the time they arrive in the UK.

*Shipping costs will not be refunded in these circumstances.

 

I messed up filling out my address information when ordering! What should I do?

Please make sure all your shipping information is correct because I can't guarantee that I can fix errors before your order is dispatched. I will do my best to rectify issues and am often able to solve this, but providing an accurate and up-to-date shipping address is the responsibility of the customer.

 

Do you accept returns?

I do not accept returns. However, if something is damaged in transit, please let me know and I will do my best to make it right.

 

Is my order missing/lost in the mail?

If your order's tracking hasn't been updated for 22 days, please contact me.

 

What happens if my purchase gets lost in the mail?

All orders are insured. If your package is lost through USPS, please email me and I will request a search. If nothing comes up with the search, I will file an insurance claim. If you're located outside of the US and your local mail system loses the painting, or if it seems to have been stolen, please reach out to me to discuss next steps, but be prepared to contact your local mail system directly.