Where the ocean meets the canvas: Leah Ramage

Leah Ramage from Leah’s Mark is a Sydney-based watercolour artist who has built a body of work rooted in stillness. In the quiet, unhurried rhythm of coastal life and the profound sense of calm that comes from time spent near the water.

Her sun-soaked canvases don’t just depict the ocean, they invite you to exhale. We sat down with Leah to talk about her creative journey, her process, and why the best art begins with a feeling.

Leah’s creations bring watercolour into the contemporary conversation.

“I would describe myself as a detailed watercolour artist,” says Leah. “I working primarily on canvas to create pieces that feel warm, immersive, and deeply considered.

“Watercolour is often associated with more traditional styles, and part of my practice is centred around shifting that perception.

“I’m passionate about bringing the medium into a more contemporary space, showcasing that it can feel modern, elevated and at home within refined interiors and gallery settings.

My art is characterised by a sense of quietness. Layered washes that build depth organically. I like to think of it as a visual exhale.

Leah’s path to full-time artist wasn’t linear, but in hindsight, it felt inevitable.

“After being made redundant from my corporate role in 2020, I backed myself as a full-time artist, and that decision changed everything,” she reflects.

“It’s remarkable how opportunities open up when you’re aligned with your purpose. Growing up by the ocean, I always had creativity close at hand. It was almost like my emotional anchor.

“I live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and find myself really drawn to the way water shifts mood. The way it slows everything down.

“I realise how deeply the water affected me, making me feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded. I wanted to capture that sense of stillness in a visual form.”

Leah Ramage’s poolside-themed artworks, featuring vibrant depictions of swimmers, lounging beachgoers, and tranquil waters, leaning against a weathered wall. The art captures moments of relaxation by the pool, showcasing the refreshing hues of clear blue water.

As a watercolour artist, Leah’s greatest muse and inspiration is the ocean and those glorious coastal landscapes.

“The ocean is my greatest source of inspiration. Not just visually, but in the way it makes you feel,” she says.

“Its rhythm and repetition, the gentle, constant movement, have a way of slowing everything down and creating space to breathe.

“I’m drawn equally to light-filled interiors, coastal landscapes encountered through travel, and the in-between moments that most of us overlook.

“My work is about capturing that feeling of ease. The quiet, in-between moments where everything feels softer, slower, and more present.”

Leah’s art starts from a digital image and heartfelt emotions.

“No two studio days look the same for me, and I love that,” she smiles. “My favourite way to begin my day is with a walk by the ocean before I even step inside my studio. This little ritual clears my mind and sets the tone for my day.

“Some days I’m completely in flow and can move through most of an artwork. And then other days are dedicated to the behind-the-scenes work. Emails, marketing, applications, and preparing prints. There’s far more that goes into being an artist than just painting.

“Some days flow effortlessly, while others are quieter and more reflective, and I’ve learned to trust both.

“When it comes to my creative days, I begin with a photograph, drone footage or GoPro captures. From here, I build the image with my mind first, before the brush even hits the canvas.

“I work in considered layers. Diluted pigment washes that create movement and depth, each layer partially revealing itself through the next.

“There is a constant negotiation between intention and letting go. I step back frequently, responding to what the piece needs rather than imposing a predetermined outcome.

A work feels complete when it reaches a quiet cohesion. A sense of calm that is hard to define but instinctively recognisable.

Mixing paint in their bright studio while standing at a white worktable with brushes, paint tubes, and a finished coastal artwork in the background.

Leah encourages others to choose art based on how it makes them feel.

“When I think about my work living in someones home, my hope is simple. I want the work to create a sense of calm within the space,” she says.

“There’s so much noise in everyday life, and I love the idea that a piece can offer a moment of pause. It’s not about decoration for decoration’s sake. It’s about shifting the energy of a room in a way that’s felt, rather than explained.

If someone can look at one of my watercolour paintings and feel even a small exhale, then it’s done what it was meant to do.

“I always suggest choosing artwork based on how it makes you feel, rather than trying to match it perfectly to a space. When you connect with a piece, it naturally finds its place.”

“I also recommend keeping the surrounding styling to a minimum. Let the artwork breathe, and allow it to become the focal point it deserves to be.”

The pieces from this immensely talented watercolour artist just have us wishing that summer would arrive ASAP, please and thank you!

You can see what’s next for Leah through her art Leah’s Mark, on her website and get a behind the scenes look through her Instagram. Whatever she does next, you can guarantee that we’ll be watching with anticipation and excitement.