About Me:
Leah McCloskey
Life in rural SE Pennsylvania in the 60's and 70's with 7 siblings, 12 dogs, 4 cats, 5 horses, and some chickens and goats in the mix was a good foundation for the life Leah leads today living in Washington County NY. Painting and drawing as a means of expression were always on the peripheral never really front and center till she was in her mid- 30's. A graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA, the basic skills were acquired, but the actual understanding of process and the making of art came years later with her studies at the famed Art Students League of New York.
Nothing can replace the years spent traveling the world as a talent scout, the different cultures, people, food and images make her the artist she is today. She takes from her life experiences and channels it into the medium she chooses to work in. She is inspired by many artists some of her favorites are Diebenkorn, DeKooning, and Matisse.
She says of her work. I am asked: "What is it about chickens that keep you so engaged?". "It all started with a small Bantum Rooster that I met at the Troy farmers market. He led me to the NE Poultry Congress is Springfield Ma. where I was introduced to the world of Heritage Breed Poultry. In many ways these wonderful birds remind me of my days as a scout in the fashion industry, the birds strut like models down runways, showing off the colors and patterns of their feathers like the latest in Fall fashion. The fact is that its not so much the chicken itself that is fascinating, I find the organic shape to be a perfect starting point for my work. I can basically do anything, in any color, in any medium and the shape is so familiar an icon to the viewer that it is recognized as 'chicken'. "
Today Leah splits her time between her work in NYC as Exhibition Outreach Program Director at the Art Students League of New York and her studio/home in Salem, NY.
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Nothing can replace the years spent traveling the world as a talent scout, the different cultures, people, food and images make her the artist she is today. She takes from her life experiences and channels it into the medium she chooses to work in. She is inspired by many artists some of her favorites are Diebenkorn, DeKooning, and Matisse.
She says of her work. I am asked: "What is it about chickens that keep you so engaged?". "It all started with a small Bantum Rooster that I met at the Troy farmers market. He led me to the NE Poultry Congress is Springfield Ma. where I was introduced to the world of Heritage Breed Poultry. In many ways these wonderful birds remind me of my days as a scout in the fashion industry, the birds strut like models down runways, showing off the colors and patterns of their feathers like the latest in Fall fashion. The fact is that its not so much the chicken itself that is fascinating, I find the organic shape to be a perfect starting point for my work. I can basically do anything, in any color, in any medium and the shape is so familiar an icon to the viewer that it is recognized as 'chicken'. "
Today Leah splits her time between her work in NYC as Exhibition Outreach Program Director at the Art Students League of New York and her studio/home in Salem, NY.
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