Category: Posts

Leigh's Posts

Creative Space – 1

What is a creative space? We might consider it a place where materials are organized and there is room to explore the art of making. Art critic and historian James Hall, author of The Artist’s Studio: A Cultural History (Thames & Hudson, 2022) has written a thought-provoking history of creative spaces including Victorian collector’s rooms and the sparse units of the Depot des Mabres in Paris where Rodin had two spaces. These spaces were described in Art Populaire as “…poor, severe, but big. No refinements. You would think yourself in a monk’s cell. This ascetic lair demands respect.”

11/01/2026

A Modern Take on Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts: Part I

This is the story of the creation of a handwritten manuscript with tinted and illustrated opening letters for each chapter. As with most objects made by hand, the manuscript is the result of reading, research, reflection, and a sequence of laborious actions. Laborious meaning “a process or journey requiring considerable effort and time.” (Oxford Language dictionary). The story will be told in several parts with Part I being the description of the seeds of the idea and some of the initial decision-making about the content and process.

08/24/2026

Birds, Art, and Interior Design

My fascination with birds goes back as long as my memories. This is an intaglio print of a nest from my collection done for a printmaking class at the Glassell School of Art.

08/09/2026

Ribbons to Transform Tops

Beautiful ribbons are a lightweight, easily transportable treasure. Long before integrating ribbon into clothing you could find me in the local fabric store gazing into glass cabinets filled with ribbon and lace or leaning into the bin piled with leftover ribbon still on the cardboard spools.

07/17/2026

Wood Paneling, Wainscoting and Boiserie: Wall Covering Ideas Revisited

The first time I saw wood paneling was a room encased in carved oak linenfold paneling aged to a deep brown. As a lover of fabric, it was difficult to tear myself away from a wall of rippling wooden “fabric”. This post will be a gathering of ideas about wood paneling, wainscoting, and boiserie and how it inspired me to repurpose leftover building materials.

02/22/2026

Unique Skirts Create Joy

In an article by Olivia Allen on January 27th, British Vogue predicts “Spring 2026 Will Be Defined by the ‘Bonkers’ Skirt”. Unique skirts are a way to “…spark joy” and as noted by senior sustainability and features editor Emily Chan, “Paired with a simple black roll neck (turtleneck), it’s an easy way to inject some fun without having to try too hard.”

02/14/2026

Journal Sketches Capture Developing Ideas

For many of us keeping a journal is a way to capture our emerging thoughts and ideas. Sketching enables me to work through the details before becoming enmeshed in the act of creation. Simply because an idea has occurred doesn’t guarantee its coming to fruition. This sketch of a library table painted in a chinoiserie inspired pattern is an example of an idea generated sketch which helped me see it wasn’t a good idea!

02/01/2026

Winter Blooms Inside and Out

During the holidays many of us may hang wreaths or decorate a fir tree. Some may drape a mantel or staircase in garlands of greenery. This dried boxwood wreath is

01/09/2026

Window Shopping for Design Inspiration

There is a joy in the unhurried stroll down a paved sidewalk lined with curated shops. Windows sparkle and pull us closer. What to notice first; the graphic lettering of the shop name or that of the proprietor, the arrangement of the objects, the drape of the fabric…all can provide us with inspiration for interior design, garden design, clothing design, and the art of arranging.

01/05/2026

Blooming Skirts!

Flowers inspire me and are the subject of much of my creative work but when it comes to clothing my choice is usually a solid color and most often black, cream, tan, or navy. However, in the past few years designers have been using floral fabric in ways that could tempt even a a stark minimalist.

10/04/2025