LeeAnne Chappell

About LeeAnne Chappell

For over 40 years, I have explored California’s landscapes through painting, seeking to capture the natural world's changing light, movement, and atmosphere.

I work primarily in oils, using a limited palette of bright colors and avoiding black to enhance luminosity. By allowing the transparency of the canvas to remain visible, I create a sense of depth and light that brings the work to life. Much of my practice is rooted in plein air painting, as working directly in nature allows me to respond to its ever-changing elements. Wind, shifting light, fog, and the sounds of the environment all become part of the painting process, reminding me to stay flexible and open. This direct engagement with the landscape shapes both the energy and composition of my work.

I am especially drawn to California’s coastal hills and ancient oaks, and spent significant time painting in Point Reyes during the pandemic. Recently, pathways have become a recurring theme in my work, symbolizing movement, exploration, and the unknown.

As a child growing up in California, I remember vast open spaces, rolling hills, and the scent of wild grass. The rapid transformation of these landscapes is something I reflect on often, and through my paintings, I aim to capture our deep, ever-changing relationship with the land.

At its core, my work is about connection—between past and present, humans and nature, movement and stillness. Through painting, I hope to invite others to slow down, look closely, and feel a sense of wonder in the world around them.