The beautiful journey of artist Leah Wood
LEAH WOOD
Artist, mother, activist and animal lover.
As part of the STORY edition, we asked Leah Wood about her story.
My story is long. In a nutshell, I was born in California, Los Angeles, in 1978. I grew up there until I moved to NYC when I was five. I went to many schools until I finally laid my roots down in the beautiful United Kingdom. I finished my schooling here and went to boarding school until I was 19; I then left school and went on a gap year (for life).
I toured around with my father (Ronnie Wood) and mother (Jo Wood) for a good few years with the Rolling Stones and saw and experienced more of the world through my own eyes. Ronnie gave me my first singing break with them on stage where I sang backing vocals for most of the tour (which was so good for me and my confidence) as I was pretty shy growing up. So when I came off the tour, I decided that was it. I was going to make it work. So I pulled a band together.
We rehearsed together, and we went on our own mini-tour! Again it was tremendous fun and such a good learning curve. Throughout this time, I drew and never forgot how much I loved sketching and painting. And I met the love of my life! Years later (fast forward to turning 30), we were just about to get hitched when I enrolled in Chelsea School of Art, where I did a foundation year. I loved it. Soon after my course finished, we did get married and I fell pregnant with my first child.
We moved to Australia and lived there for what was supposed to be six months and ended up being three years. I brought up my girl there and lived a sunny Australian lifestyle for a while before I got really homesick and had to move on outta there. Back in good old Blighty, I couldn’t be happier; family, friends, places I knew, the smell of London, everything about it was so familiar, and I realised just how much I missed this place.
Five years later, I fell pregnant again with a boy this time!! So the journey continued, trying to juggle being a mum of two while my husband worked all day, every day. Every second I could, I was drawing with my kids and painting, never really thinking that this was where I wanted to be until I really had to. Finally, one day my husband said to me, “Leah, you have got to do this! You are good at it, and we need the money!” So, I decided to try my best and do it! So 14 years later, here I am. I’ve curated shows, been in shows, and now my next main aim is to do an exhibition of my very own, so I’m working towards this.
Do you have a favourite story? From childhood? A fable? Or a story that you’ve never forgotten?
A story that I’ve never forgotten? Yes, when I was touring with my dad back in the day, I must have been four or five years old, and I remember him playing his guitar on stage. With no fear, I went out onto that stage and tapped him on the knee. He looked around and saw no one until he looked down and saw ME! It was a moment I have to say that little Leah won’t forget!
How does storytelling feature in your work?
Storytelling in my work is a big part of the picture. I work with plastic bags and cling film, so when I’m painting my endangered animals, the plastic is seen through the paint, creating a 3D effect.
Plastic, as we all know, is in our seas and in the air we breathe and it’s suffocating... so painting these animals in plastic REALLY HITS HOME... you can think about the rest of the story and how it might end...
Zebra (2020)
Acrylic and Cling Film with Glue, 23” x 35”
Tell us about your process?
My process is simple: I have to be inspired by something with a strong message. My roots lie with the environment and the climate crisis, so anything to do with the planet. I research, find the time, and then I get down to painting. I put music on, and it may take me a day, or it may take me four months... but when I’m done, I finish and move on to the next.
Is there a personal story in your life that was a profound turning point?
A turning point... Yes, when my husband turned round to me and said, “Leah, you have got to do this as a profession now. It’s do-or-die time!”
And I did…
How did you become involved with Sea Shepherd and why?
I became involved in Sea Shepard because they came to one of my exhibitions that I did during the year of the Jubilee, and we got talking, and I loved what they were trying to do for the seas and the marine life. This is very close to my heart, so after researching them, I emailed Helen Taylor, who drives that ship and they asked me then and there to be an ambassador. I immediately said YES, of course I will, as I am also an ambassador for Cool Earth (another charity) that supports the rainforest and all the indigenous tribes that live within it. So it was a no-brainer for me. I had two well-respected charities under my belt that I could do good for and the animals that come along with them too! No-brainer.
Polar Bear (2020)
Acrylic and Cling Film with Glue, 23” x 35”
What's the worst advice you've ever been given?
The worst advice I’ve ever been given was by a model friend back in the day when I was doing catwalks. She turned round to me as she guided me on how to do a catwalk and said, “Leah, just get there and back as fast as you can!” Thanks Kate Moss!
Best advice you've ever been given?
It’s nice to be nice as you never know who you are talking to.
What motto do you live by?
Live in the moment.
What are you currently working on?
A series of still life’s... and working on a project at Linley Gallery in London for May 2023
