Mixed Media & Fiber Artist   Author

The contrast of color and texture in nature inspire me; the softness of moss on a rock, a lacy fern frond against a tree trunk, the way the light shines on the water.  Circles have been a big inspiration for several years now and my first book came out the summer of 2008 using a circle theme for quilting projects.  The book, entitled Adventures in Circles, Quilt Designs from Start to Finish, is available from the author.

My work combines elements of printmaking, painting, collage, and fiber techniques.  I work in paper and fiber; coloring them with ink, dye and paints, then transforming the surface with texture using gel mediums, fiber pastes or beading and embroidery.  Recently I have added resin and alcohol ink to my mixed media pieces.  I have also been playing with more 3D forms in my mixed media work including boxes containing hand-made books.

My art is in private collections in Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, California, Michigan, and West Virginia.  I am serving on the Board of the TriState Arts Association and am active with the Innovative Fiber Artists Network and the Ohio Designer Craftsmen organization.  Previously, I belonged to several art organizations including 2+3 The Artist’s Organization (Florida), the Surface Design Association and was a founding member of the Artists’ Network of Kent (Ohio). 

For more information about the artist or her work, you can contact her by email: leighmcdonald@zoominternet.net. There is also information on her blog:  leighmcdonald.blogspot.com and on Instagram:  @leighemcdonald