Josephine Leeder

I'm an architect who (re) discovered my love of art during lockdown. I began sketching again properly in 2019, when I discovered the joy of abstract art. Prior to this I'd drawn still-life sporadically over the last 20 years, but always felt frustrated with my subject matter. A boring train journey, with nothing but my sketchbook and fresh memories of a trip in the Lake District, lead me to try drawing from my head rather than my eye. Transforming though this was, it was the serendipitous timing of learning the hard-edged painting style a week before Lockdown that really galvanized my art. This style obviously appealed to the architect in me, and gave me a focus. I've now moved away from hard-edged, finding a looser, freer style. Art is unending-there are always new directions and pathways to discover, different techniques and subject matter to trial. It's a love affair

I create art because...

Originally sketching after work was my de-stress response. But finding my painting 'voice' led to a more compulsive need. I still don't really understand where it all comes from, or the driving force behind it. But it remains strong....

When you look at my art, the thing I want you to feel is...

Intrigue. Beauty. Uncanny. Awe of the structural world

I believe art is an important part of our lives because...

In many ways it's utterly pointless, which is exactly why it's so vital