I am a local artist and live in Warrandyte South. My interest in art extends back to high school where I painted large abstract canvasses in year 12. I then studied graphic design at tertiary level without pursuing professionally. My career in HR and a family of 4 boys curtailed the pursuit of my passion until 2009 when my husband presented me with a series of art lessons with Jenni Mitchell at Montsalvat in Eltham. I continued with Jenni for several years and then became a member of the Whitehorse Art Association under the guidance of Lorraine Wigraft, until 2018.

Oil is my preferred medium and I have progressed from still life to painting portraits, loved animals, children, lanterns, globes, dilapidated old buildings and landscapes. I particularly love painting subjects that have a special meaning to me and to others such as portraits of pets, family members and family friends, scenes of places that are special to me and others as well as items that are cherished. When painting portraits of people, I paint with my heart and soul, with passion and love and often feel at one with the person I have the privilege to paint. I love the honesty and rawness of painting portraits, and love sensing and feeling more about who they are or were.

Over the past years, I have dabbling in acrylic and abstract style paintings as acrylic would be my second preferred medium and have painted large and small painting of Vietnamese Lanterns and abstract designs, including my series of Australian Paintings like “Burra in the Burbs”.

My 28 commissions to date (September 2021) contain a mix of different subjects from: the backs of kids walking to school, family members watching the sunset or walking in the country, loved pets that have passed or still alive, kids sitting in a skate park, the Warrandyte landscape, and loved people that have passed away. I have gifted many paintings to family and friends and one of my most cherished and special works that I have completed is a portrait of Fr Noel Kierce, O.Carm, who was a past principal and Chaplin of Whitefriars College (vale 2015). My portrait of Pat Cronin sits up there, with Fr Noel’s and is just as cherished and special to me.

My goal as an artist is to bring to life, people, buildings, animals, landscapes, or cherished items, and in doing so put a huge smile on the observers face whether that be an onlooker or purchaser.

I hope you enjoy my art and am very happy to be contacted, should you like something in your world bought to life.

Di Leeder Artist