My art journey began with a simple desire to capture the stunning scenes around Maine, especially some amazing birds that call this beautiful coastal landscape home, too. My seagull paintings came first because—they are literally everywhere! And the more I watched them, the more I noticed their expressions and interactions which often seem to tell human-like stories.

 

I became a fan of “daily painting,” which means I paint every day, even if only for an hour—and create small works of art. This approach keeps things fun and allows me to be expressive and experimental without the pressure of creating a ‘masterwork.’ 

 

My art training began at Holy Cross College, where I juggled my passions for science and art. I thought of becoming a medical illustrator at one point. But even with a long career in healthcare development and public relations, I never stopped drawing and painting.

 

My membership with the Kittery Art Association plays an important role in my creative practice. The monthly themed exhibitions encourage me to paint consistently and explore new ideas within the coastal Maine subjects, and the shorebirds that inspire my work! Being part of such a vibrant and supportive community renews my joy in painting. 

 

Artist Bio

Having lived in Ogunquit and now residing in Wells, Carol Kane Leonhard draws daily inspiration from the shorebirds that inhabit the shoreline. Plovers, gulls, and other coastal birds often become both subject and subtle storyteller in her work.

Working in oils, but now primarily acrylics, she values acrylic’s quick-drying nature, which allows her to build layered surfaces and refine delicate details.

Leonhard holds a degree in Fine Arts with a science minor from the College of the Holy Cross and is a member of the Kittery Art Association, Artists by the Sea in Biddeford Pool, and Daily Paintworks.

She has exhibited at the Kittery Art Association, Artists by the Sea (Biddeford Pool), Beach Pea Gallery, and the University of New England. Across her body of work, paintings are often created in quiet dialogue with one another—echoing gesture, mood, and narrative—reflecting her belief that even the smallest moments along the coast can hold lasting presence.