Leila Ashton, a longtime resident of Collegedale, has painted portraits professionally for more than 25 years. Alongside her portrait work, she also paints floral pieces and landscapes, mostly in watercolors, just for the pleasure of working with the medium to produce something beautiful. As a largely self-taught artist, she has done extensive individual study to develop her craft. Her work is in collections from coast to coast.
While most of her portrait work is done in oils, her floral paintings are mostly in watercolor. Watercolor can produce a depth of color and detail that rivals that of any other medium, making it a delight for both artist and viewer. Two of these paintings are done in pastel, which has depth, richness, and vibrancy that wonderfully express floral colors and textures.
This exhibit was displayed at McKee Library during the Fall 2024 semester.