Leanne has had a passion for Art since a young child. The first daughter of a Blacksmith/Boilermaker/Mechanic father and Florist/Painter/Poet mother Leanne originally studied and worked as a Mechanical Engineer before a career change saw her embrace her creative side and study to become a Design and Technology teacher. She is currently working as a Lecturer and Workshop Instructor at the University of South Australia, in the School of Education where she passes on her creativity and inspiration to Design and Technology Pre-service Teachers and Academic Staff.

 

Leanne works primarily with Copper but also Steel and recycled metals, making sculptural pieces and wall hangings for both indoors and outdoors as well as custom water features. Leanne uses both Oxy-Acetylene welding and brazing as well as MIG Welding and Plasma cutting with all work hand cut and formed using traditional metalworking techniques. As such each piece is always unique and individual.

 

Preferring the aged character of recycled materials, Leanne is constantly on the lookout for material and ‘parts’ she can use. Many of her works are often inspired by the materials and objects she finds in second hand shops and metal recyclers. Her work is also strongly grounded in nature with plants, flowers and animals common themes. Popular works include gum leaves, water lilies, butterflies and dragonflies as well as poppies, bird-of-paradise and orchids.

 

In late 2015 she completed a commission for the Blinman Progress Association, a 2 metre high Copper ‘Kibble Bucket’ made entirely from new and recycled copper. The work is located in the Main Street of Blinman, in the Northern Flinders Ranges and stands as a symbol of the town’s strong historical ties to Copper and Copper mining. Leanne recently purchased ‘Rosetree & Willow’, a rural property located in the Clare Valley, just out of Auburn, named in honour of her 2 young daughters (who died tragically with both her parents in early 2016). Here she has created a studio/workshop.

 

The name Verdigris Metalwork comes from the patina or ‘verdigris’ that develops on copper, forming the beautiful rich emerald green hues evident in her work.