For this episode of my Muddy Colors series called Conversations with Artists, I interviewed artist and entrepreneur Leah Fanning. We talked about her nature-inspired artwork, unique approach to picture-making and her Natural Earth Paint artist materials: a product line of eco-friendly art supplies.

As an artist and expecting mom, Fanning searched for non-toxic alternatives to paint with. With nothing available on the market for her to use, she created her own paint, collecting pigment samples and testing many options before discovering just the right mix. With lots of trial and error, hard work and determination, she finally achieved her goal! Today, Natural Earth Paint serves the needs of artists all around the world who are looking for alternatives. Check out the interview with this artist who has embraced natural living as well as artmaking!

 

“At Natural Earth Paint, we use pure, natural earth mineral pigments and organic ingredients to make completely safe, sustainable and beautiful art supplies for children and fine artists. By leaving out the preservatives, heavy metal toxins, solvents, synthetics and fillers, our products are of the highest quality: pure, radiant and the most archival and durable paints available.”  – Leah Fanning

 

 

“The Earth Series began with the desire to continue to paint with oils, but without toxic solvents, toxic paints or unsustainable materials. This soon evolved into also finding my own earth pigments; incorporating ashes from our wood stove; adding creek sand, marble dust and granite dust into the paints; using local walnut oils and exploring sustainable surfaces. All of the paintings were made with only natural, non-toxic earth pigments and walnut oil. They are much more archival and UV resistant than paintings made with synthetic paints and will never off-gas like traditional oil paintings.”  – Leah Fanning

“This lead me into a deeper connection with our natural world, as I left the studio and made a connection with these materials. These organic materials and the nature-inspired images in my paintings evoke an aliveness and interconnectedness because they are alive and encapsulate the cycle of life within them.”  – Leah Fanning

“My painting process can be summed up by the word “play”. Coming from my former life as a professional ballet and modern dancer, I always return to my body while I paint, sticking to the present moment of the experience. I follow my breath through every muscle in my body, as I swish the charcoal and swipe with a paint brush. Playing with paint feels like an intricate dance of guided chance.” – Leah Fanning

“Sometimes the dance glides along with ease; sometimes it whirls me around through time and space with breathless exhilaration; and sometimes the dance feels awkward and forced, and the rhythm is hard to hear. But I remember to hold compassion for myself and trust in the natural rhythms of the universe to re-remember that this creative process is a divine mystery.”  – Leah Fanning

 

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