Coolum Beach

From an early age, Leigh enjoyed painting and playing with colours; art quickly became an ongoing interest. He was first introduced to acrylics in the South of England after his mother encouraged his creative pursuits. After immigrating to Australia with his parents in 1986, Leigh immersed himself in art - joining the Mudjimba Art Group and the Sunshine Coast Art Group - rather than following the expected path of teaching.

Since that time, Leigh has immersed himself in various creative endeavours, including singing in several Sunshine Coast choirs, and representing Queensland in croquet. At the same time, he has continued with his artistic practice, drawing inspiration from Australian artists Arthur Streeton and Rex Beauhaus-Smith, while developing his own distinct style.

There are no dull beaches on the Sunshine Coast, with Coolum Beach a great example of a lively locale for swimming and viewing. I have painted a number of local spots now, with Coolum Beach offering many attractive draw cards for artists. Surrounded by trees, rocks, buildings, and gardens - while the soft, clear sand meets the ocean - this location is great for absorbing the atmosphere. I hope my impressionist painting captures some of the character of this beautiful part of the world.