Leah Hurley
Learn to Paint with Leah
Leah doesn’t only create art—she also enjoys helping other people experience the joy of making it.
She teaches easy-to-follow, step-by-step painting classes at Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery designed to make creating art approachable and fun.
You don’t need to consider yourself an artist to participate.
Her classes are an opportunity to try something new, learn from a working local artist and create a piece of your own in a welcoming gallery environment.
Leah Hurley, Simpsonville, SC Artist
Artist Bio
Leah Hurley is a full-time South Carolina artist known for creating whimsical, ethereal mixed media artwork that feels like stepping into a fairytale.
Creativity has always been part of Leah’s life. Growing up, she was the creative one in her family—the person everyone turned to when something called for imagination or an artistic eye. Today, she brings that same sense of wonder to paintings designed to inspire joy, serenity, faith and appreciation for the beauty found in the natural world.
Leah’s artwork combines rich color, layered texture and imaginative details to create pieces that feel both peaceful and magical. Her work is especially appealing to collectors who want art that adds personality, emotion and a sense of wonder to their home or collection.
Leah’s original artwork and select prints can be viewed at Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
About the Work
Leah works with multiple mediums to build depth and character into each painting.
Her process often begins with a charcoal and acrylic underpainting. From there, she experiments with layers, textures and additional materials before finishing portions of the painting in oil to create rich, vibrant color.
She may also incorporate paint markers, iridescent pigments and spray paint, giving her work unexpected dimension and visual interest.
The result is artwork that feels imaginative without losing its connection to the beauty of the natural world.
Collectors often describe Leah’s work as:
- Whimsical
- Ethereal
- Colorful
- Dreamlike
- Peaceful
- Textured
- Imaginative
- Joyful
Her pieces can bring a memorable focal point to a living room, bedroom, office, creative space or personal art collection.
Favorite
Mediums: Mixed media, charcoal, acrylic, oil, paint markers, iridescent pigments and spray paint
Subjects: Nature, animals, pet portraits, imaginative scenes and custom commissions
Style: Whimsical, ethereal, colorful, textured and dreamlike
Style and Artistic Approach
Leah did not initially set out to become known for whimsical art.
When she first began painting, she expected to create darker, gothic-inspired and moody pieces. Although she still loves that aesthetic, she soon discovered that the work naturally coming from her own hands felt completely different.
Viewers began describing her paintings as whimsical and ethereal, and Leah realized she had found an artistic style that reflected something deeply personal.
Growing up, she loved magical movies because they inspired feelings of faith, imagination and wonder. Those same qualities now appear throughout her artwork.
For Leah, one of the greatest compliments is hearing that someone experiences those same feelings when viewing one of her paintings.
Available Artwork
Leah’s artwork is available to view and purchase at Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery. Availability may change as pieces are sold or new work is added.
Favorite Subjects
Vinayak is especially inspired by:
- Landscapes
- Figurative art
- Subdued natural scenes
- Empowered women
- Indian classical music melodies
- Color relationships
- Mood and atmosphere
- Abstracted forms
He often minimizes the use of manmade objects or animals in his landscape work to preserve a calm, understated feeling.
What Makes Leah's Artwork Unique?
Leah’s creative process sets her work apart.
Rather than relying on a single medium, she layers several materials and techniques within the same piece. Charcoal and acrylic establish the foundation, texture adds dimension, and oils help create the rich color that gives her finished work its distinctive presence.
Additional materials such as iridescent pigments, paint markers and spray paint can create subtle shifts in color, light and texture that may reveal themselves differently as you experience the piece.
This layered approach gives Leah’s artwork a handcrafted, expressive quality that cannot be fully appreciated through a screen.
We encourage collectors to visit Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery and experience her work in person.
Series and Current Work
Rather than relying on a single medium, she layers several materials and techniques within the same piece. Charcoal and acrylic establish the foundation, texture adds dimension, and oils help create the rich color that gives her finished work its distinctive presence.
Additional materials such as iridescent pigments, paint markers and spray paint can create subtle shifts in color, light and texture that may reveal themselves differently as you experience the piece.
This layered approach gives Leah’s artwork a handcrafted, expressive quality that cannot be fully appreciated through a screen.
Original Art, Prints & Collectible Pieces
Leah offers artwork at different sizes and price points, making her work approachable for both established collectors and people purchasing original or locally made art for the first time.
Depending on availability, her work may include:
- Original mixed media paintings
- Small art prints
- Giftable art pieces
- Small creative items
- Custom commissioned artwork
Smaller prints and pieces are an excellent option for art lovers who have limited wall space or want to introduce Leah’s whimsical style into a smaller room, office, bookshelf or gallery wall.
Original pieces offer collectors the opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind work featuring Leah’s distinctive textures, colors and layered creative process.
Commissions
Looking for artwork created especially for you?
Leah accepts custom art commissions, with pet portraits among her most popular commissioned pieces.
A custom commission can be a meaningful way to:
- Celebrate a beloved pet
- Create personalized artwork for your home
- Give a memorable wedding or anniversary gift
- Honor a special person, place or memory
- Add artwork tailored to a specific space
- Give a one-of-a-kind gift
Commission availability, size, pricing and timelines may vary.
To ask about commissioning a custom piece by Leah Hurley, please contact Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery for availability, timeline, size options, and pricing information.
Fun or Interesting Fact
At the heart of Leah’s work is a desire to help people notice beauty.
Her artwork is influenced by the natural world and by the sense of wonder she has carried with her since childhood. Through vibrant color, imaginative compositions and layered textures, Leah creates pieces that encourage viewers to slow down and experience a moment of joy or serenity.
She hopes her work helps people see the beauty of God’s earth and brings a feeling of peace, happiness and imagination into the spaces where her paintings are displayed.
Visit the Gallery
See original artwork by Leah Hurley in person at:
Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery
106 W. Curtis Street
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 AM–5 PM
Leah’s use of texture, iridescent pigments, layered mediums and vibrant color makes viewing her work in person particularly rewarding.
Visit Simpsonville Fine Arts Gallery to explore Leah’s available artwork alongside original works from other local and regional artists.
