Leah Patterson was born and raised in Covington, Georgia. She’s currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art and a Masters of Teaching in Art at Georgia College and State University. Her work explores the deep connection between human emotions, memory, and nature. Through travel, Leah gains a fresh perspective on the world, which deepens her understanding of how memories evolve over time. Nature serves as both a mirror and a catalyst for human emotions, with the way it can evoke feelings of peace, nostalgia, or awe fascinates her. Leah plans on pursuing a career in teaching high school art.
Project Statement
Havens investigates the interconnected themes of nature and childhood, focusing on the positive, joyful experiences that shape early memories, such as traveling with family. Through a series of 5 acrylic paintings, ranging from 16” x 20” and 18” x 24″, the paintings capture outdoor scenes that reflect the essence of various vacation destinations. The work includes visual inspiration drawn from my own photographs, with a combination of both environmental portraits and landscapes. The paintings will create a seamless interplay between memory and reality. This method evokes a sense of realism that invites the viewer into a vivid recollection of these moments.
Artist Statement
Havens explores the deep connection between human emotions, memory, and nature. I use landscapes not only as visual representations of the natural world but as vessels to evoke and reflect on the emotions tied to specific places. Traveling offers me a fresh lens through which I experience the world and deepens my understanding of how memories transform over time. Each landscape becomes an emotional reflection of the places I’ve visited—whether they are moments of stillness or adventure, each one carries its own narrative. The transition between photo-realism and abstraction reflects this, as I seek to capture the shifting, ephemeral nature of memory itself. Each painting and photograph I create is a ‘souvenir,’ not just a depiction of a place but a personal archive of the emotions and memories tied to it. These works are my way of preserving not only the landscape but the feelings, stories, and reflections that accompany them.