Seeking for treasure
Iona’s images emerge from suggestive paint that she applies in glazes, sometimes gossamer thin, at other times more determined. Building colour and texture with ink, oil and chalk pastel, charcoal and pencil, she seeks the golden sweet spots of colour and texture to create her overall impression.
Iona’s artistic practice was deeply influenced by her long experience as resident visual artist at Stirling Castle, Scotland. (https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/)
Here she learned to trust sensed energy and enable it be seen through her painting.
In recent years, Iona has been living and working in Findhorn, one of the world’s first intentional communities. There on Scotland’s north east coast, the spirit of wild forest and sea have amplified her artistic expression, helping her lead out images of spirit horses in her works.
HORSES
At Stirling Castle, Iona felt to pay homage to the horses sacrificed in centuries of war. Works such as ‘War Horse’ and ‘The Pity of War’ gave way to a new, more gentle expression in ‘Spirit Horses’ in her Findhorn work.
Original Paintings
The Art Of Iona Leishman
"Through the Birches to the Bay"🔴
"Low Winter Light" 🔴
"Blue Riders" 🔴
FOR SALE
"Of Another Time and Space'" 🔴prints and cards available
"Haiku II"
"Northern Pines on Findhorn Bay" 🔴prints and cards available
"A Feeling for Scots Land" 🔴
Whilst primarily known for her vivid landscape paintings, Iona creates art across a variety of genres. An original piece of artwork can also be commissioned with Iona. A bespoke piece can be an opportunity to celebrate a favourite location, illustrate a personal story or mark a special moment. Contact Iona here for special requests.
Painting on Canvas & BOARDS
Education
Studio
Creative Flow painting sessions were born out of Iona’s observation that many people are in grief about their creativity, believing that they were hopeless and therefore abandoning any attempts at trying. By acknowledging fear and judgement, Iona encourages process rather than making a picture and this way there are no mistakes that we can make.
Please come and join Iona and let paint, ink, charcoal and pastel flow, mix and meld into gorgeous, suggestive shapes and textures that feed our souls’ imagination.
Testimonials:
“your talent for teaching your art is unique and any youngster (or older person) starting out will really benefit from working with you.”
“Thank you Iona, for sharing with us your wonderful and unique painting experience in a friendly, welcoming and non-judgmental environment.
You are such a positive and supportive tutor, always there to give us one to one guidance as well as constructive feedback.
In Nature
Iona is an experienced workshop facilitator. Recently, her Moray Art Centre “Art in Nature” sessions supported people depressed or isolated by restrictions. Encouraging a creative response to nature through art, participants reported feeling more grounded and positive. Many more such sessions are planned elsewhere for the forthcoming months so please watch this space.
Youth
Iona has been leading groups of young budding artists through many art projects. From different schools around Scotland to the Moray Art Centre and Scottish Islands. Join her in the local wilderness for painting classes.
Testimonials
What People say
Dr Neil Oliver
Broadcaster, Historian, Archaeologist And Author
“I have loved many of Iona’s paintings over the years and, as a resident of Stirling, I especially enjoy catching fresh glimpses of places I know, seen through someone else’s questioning and pondering eyes.”
Maria, Peebles
Teaching testimonial
“I really felt encouraged and supported by you throughout the day and I found your approach to be enthusiastic, sensitive as well as challenging in positive way. Your compassion was infectious and has taught me to remember this to silence my inner critic”
Eleanor, Dollar
Teaching testimonial
“Iona’s enthusiasm and explanations of how to “let it all out” really loosened my painting technique. I feel that her talent for teaching, art is unique and any youngster (or older person) starting out will really benefit from her teaching”
Alison & Barrie
Castle Douglas, COMmISSION
We first saw Iona’s work at the Wigtown Book Festival in Galloway and were enraptured. The character and depth and sincerely-felt emotion in her work makes for glorious paintings. We find something new and inspiring in Iona’s work every day. Commissioning a painting was easy and a dream come true for us, as it put shimmering life into an old much-loved story and interest that we have talked about for years”.