Biography
Leanne is a Melbourne-based artist whose work bridges realism, abstraction and the ethereal. Working across oils, acrylics, pastels and mixed media, she creates expressive artworks that explore emotion, memory, dreams and the beauty found within everyday life.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Frida Kahlo and Gustav Klimt, Leanne combines traditional painting techniques with contemporary mixed-media elements including gold leaf, collage, ink, modelling paste and textured surfaces. Her work often features portraits, animals, florals and symbolic imagery, blending realism with imaginative and dreamlike qualities.
A self-driven artist with a passion for continual learning and experimentation, Leanne enjoys working intuitively, allowing each piece to evolve through layers of colour, texture and emotion. Her artworks seek to capture not only the physical likeness of a subject but also its spirit and story.
Leanne’s work has been exhibited in local cafés and has received recognition through exhibitions and awards, including certificates from the Royal Melbourne Show, the Malvern Artists Society, the Light Space & Time Art Gallery and appearing in the Arts to heart project Dogs edition coffee table book. Her artwork has also been featured in published art collections and community exhibitions.
Alongside her artistic practice, Leanne works in healthcare, bringing the same compassion, empathy and dedication to her creative work that she brings to caring for others. Through her art, she hopes to inspire connection, reflection and a sense of wonder.
Creating under the name Artiststones Studio, Leanne continues to develop a distinctive visual language that celebrates emotion, resilience and the beauty of the human experience.
Project Statement
Art is where emotion, memory and imagination meet.
As a Melbourne-based artist working across oils, acrylics, pastels and mixed media, I create works that explore the spaces between reality and dreams. My paintings often blend elements of realism with ethereal, abstract and symbolic imagery, allowing me to express feelings that are difficult to put into words.
Inspired by artists such as Frida Kahlo and Gustav Klimt, I incorporate rich textures, collage, gold leaf, ink and layered mark-making to create works that feel both intimate and timeless. Themes of transformation, resilience, femininity, spirituality, nostalgia and human connection frequently emerge throughout my practice.
Whether painting a beloved animal, an expressive portrait, or a dreamlike mixed-media piece, I aim to capture not only the appearance of my subject but also its essence. Each artwork is created intuitively, allowing colour, texture and emotion to guide the process.
Through my work, I hope to evoke a sense of wonder, reflection and connection, inviting viewers to bring their own stories and emotions to each piece. For me, art is more than creating an image—it is a way of preserving moments, honouring memories and finding beauty within the human experience.
Leanne
Artiststones Studio
“Art from the Heart”
