Leah Farquharson Artist Statement

Tree Planted by Water Collection Artist’s Statement

Collection Launch: June 30th, 2025

I work in acrylic gouache and soft pastel on gallery wrap canvas.

The flow of water in unpredictable and can’t be controlled to perfection, instead, I have to work to guide the paint as applied and sometimes yield to the path that it takes. Poetry, music, literature, and Scripture float across my mind as I move the brush across the canvas, praying I will guide the water well… I draw my inspiration from nature: leaves, trees, flowers, water. My work is inspired by the interaction of light and darkness, water and pigment, and I often think about this as a metaphor for life. Things that happen to us that we may perceive as “bad”, often become the catalyst for great good. I want to inspire people to see a greater perspective beyond the moment. To search for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in every circumstance, despite the challenges and difficulties of life. Like water, it is nourishing and healing, necessary for growth, but so capable of destruction.

As I create, I often catch myself holding my breath and trying to control the pigment mixed with water, but it can’t be controlled. Like life, I want the paint to have perfection and order. But it can not be controlled. It is not perfect.

When I catch myself and exhale, I realize the imperfection is the beauty. It must choose the path it needs to take. My only hope is to guide and yield to its flow. The pigment and water must be applied with steady, even strokes. If too quick, the canvas will not accept the paint. I’ve never experienced what could happen if applied too slowly. I don’t yet have the patience.

Eternity - by Leah Farquharson

I spread my hands wide

And open my arms

As I wade into the ocean

I feel the rhythmic pulse

Of the universe.

Open hands

Open arms

Open heart.

The frantic world washes away

With its erratic stops and starts

In my consciousness

Random motion swirling

Disruptive

Cracking

Shattering

My thoughts

I lean forward and embrace the waves

Peace

Power

Faith…

In this world there is a purpose and a time

Birth

Life

Death

Man is not alone

Outside of the world they have create

We are merely a part

Of a bigger space

A bigger place

Breathe in the salt air

Touch the sand

Leave the manmade world behind

And heal your mind

Your heart

Return to your soul

And discover

You can be whole.

Scripture floats across my mind as I move the brush across the canvas, praying I will guide the water well… “And the presence of God moved upon the face of the waters…” (Gen. 1:2)

“… darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee…” (Job 22:11) “For He maketh small the drops of water: they pour down like rain according to the vapor thereof:” (Job 36:27) "He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm. 1:3) “He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.” (Psalm 18:16) “Many waters can not quench love.” (Song of Solomon 8:7)

Master’s Program Acceptance

It should come as no surprise with my love of literature and the Classical pedagogy (method of teaching) that I have applied and been accepted to a Master of Arts in Classical Studies in the fall of 2025, and will be studying a track in Literature and Rhetoric. I’m excited to continue my studies at Southeastern University after graduating with my bachelor of science in Digital Media and Design May 2025.