Artist Statement
My work combines familiar elements of the natural world in unfamiliar ways to reveal connections and relationships that might otherwise remain unseen. I imagine hidden ecosystems where trees grow from insects, forests emerge from the shells of snails, and whales become landscapes of their own. Trees act as a connective thread, symbolizing the greater relationships that already exist in our natural world.
Working with archival Micron pens and a Posca Paint pen, I embrace the simplicity of black on white paper. Without colour, the focus shifts to line, shape, and negative space, allowing each illustration to communicate through clean marks. Each line is carefully drawn and has purpose. My process is slow and precise, building each illustration one line at a time until I reach a balanced piece.
Although my work is rooted in observing nature, it is guided by imagination. Viewers like to pause and notice the small details, finding a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world. My work is an invitation to see nature as interconnected, resilient, and quietly extraordinary. At the heart of this work is a curiosity about connection: what links one living thing to another, the stories these relationships might tell, and the new perspectives that can emerge when we choose to see them differently.
Biography
Leah Bedford is an independently trained artist based in Port Coquitlam, BC. Bedford works primarily with Micron Pen, creating surreal black and white drawings that explore the hidden relationships within the natural world. Her work is rooted in the observation of nature with a focus on expanding our understanding of symbiotic relationships within ecosystems.
Leah Bedford developed her practice outside a formal art school setting, learning through independent study, regular studio work, and experimentation with a focus on trees, mountainscapes and wildlife. Over time, this self-directed path shaped the way she approaches materials, composition and her subject matter.
Bedford is currently working on a body of work within this interconnected natural world.
Website: leahbedfordart.square.site
Facebook: facebook.com/leahbedford.art
Instagram: @leahbedford.art