Welcome to my website!
My name is Jenna Martin Leitch and I’m an artist, illustrator and writer from Fife, Scotland.
My work is inspired by the treasures I find, in my everyday life and in the natural world. The joy they bring to me. The “happy” they make me feel.
I collect things; In my pockets, through my eyes, with my mind, and in my heart. The things we have lost. The things we have found. The sum of our parts. Through written word, drawn line, and painted hue; I make sure the magic is remembered and the JOY I FEEL is paid forward.
🐞
A n t - Ò g h m i o s
J U N E
June is here.
It has arrived, a new month.
I feel it as a chance to begin again.
Journeys always continue, they’re always a forward motion. Also, though, they can be seen as a shift in the air, possibilities… or moving further away, from a something, a some place, a someone…
Since my father died, in January of this year, each month he does seem further away. Somehow though, I become closer to finding a way to express my love for him. For my Mum. For those I miss.
I have been writing a lot. Words of “Sending love”. This poem, on my carousel, about receiving or sending letters. How these messages wing their way to us, from us, and let us know we are thought of.
Snail Mail, post with insect inspired slowness. Winding trails through air or on land.
My new “Emperor Moth” card, wlproved popular this weekend at Scone. People will always love a card to send.
Two ladybirds landed upon my littlest and myself whilst at the beach last weekend. “Daolag-Bhreac” in Scottish Gaelic, a spotty beetle.
Lady landers, they have folkloric and significance. Their arrival a blessing, the flight path they leave on signaling where love will be found. The number of spots upon their shells, the blessings granted.
Blessings I have in too many numbers to count when it comes to my parents. Blessings also, in having beautiful, kind people within my life who care deeply for me. For us.
We pass that love on. In letter form or words. In art upon page, I endeavour to continue that love.
Also, in steps taken.
This month, I aim to complete a 5k every day for each day in June. For @younglivesvscancer in memory of a beautiful little boy who passed in recent days. Archie was a wonder. The brightest soul. A ladybird, with ALL the blessings implied, will always make me think of him from now on. He loved creepy crawlies, and having seen so many in my life over the years, I know the joy they bring. He brought the sum of all of those joys, to so many.
I will put the link to my donation page in my stories. If you wish to donate, that would be wonderful. If you wish to walk or run some of those miles with me across the month. Let me know.
A tangle of giant poppies. Some football goals, a football, and a little cat sat watching the world go by somewhere .
Pretty much sums up our own garden!
After a busy morning of gym, then food shop, then a run. Car unpacked. Some time spent with my littlest. Nice to have a moment in the garden, just me and the cats and the sunshine!
The birds are singing and the wind is gently blowing through the trees.
After spending two days outside, today has felt like when you come home from camping, and just need to be outdoors.
Getting outside is a healer. Simply BEING in nature is such a tonic for the soul. My soul anyway, definitely.
I hope you’ve all had a restful Sunday, wherever you are.
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#artcat
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
@sconepalacegardenfair you little beauty!
Heart filled!
Looking forward to next year (if you’ll have me!) already!
Jen x
✨💛✨
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#JennaMartinLeitchWriter
#scottishartistandwriter
#sconepalacegardenfair
Scone is one of my happiest places. I have always felt such a huge sense of peace and a sense of me just ‘fitting in’ there. There is a generosity of spirit that is palpable.
This years @sconepalacegardenfair was my best yet. For many reasons. My first in person event of the year. A year which has been really hard, with many losses of wonderful people. I needed the last two days. To help me truly feel like ‘me’ again.
I’ve spent time with some of my favourite people. I’ve been visited by some favourite followers and buyers of my work, who are now friends to me.
I’ve had bosies galore, proper squeezy hugs from lovely folks. Great conversations at my stall. Moments of connection and of joy.
Life needs to be filled with glimmers, noticings that truly matter. People that see you for who you are, choose you, and invest in what you do.
Cup filled. Heart too. Choc full to the brim.
First sale of the day was a Blackbird Teatowel. I only have a couple left of these.
Last sale of the day was a tiny yellow handmade artists book of my own. ‘Light’ again, a book that means so much to me on a personal basis. When people choose this one, I always feel really moved.
Favourite sale is a joint tie… a framed tiny stamp sized moth artwork of an elephant hawk moth. These have been a passion project on my part. Part of my body of work titled ‘Sending Love’.
The joint winner was a double sale, of one of my newest prints ‘Snowdrop Parade’, a fine art giclée print. Which went to a new home with the most gorgeous tiny baby. The smiliest little soul who melted my heart. Also to this home went ‘Ring The Bells’. Another print. Of a little me ringing a bluebell.
I’m exhausted and achey, but for the best reasons.
Thank you everyone. Thank you @sconepalace @sconepalacegardens and everyone at the fair. All the gardeners and organisers. Heather and Brian @gingergairdner and his amazing family. @thepinkwheelbarrow too.
Much love all.
‘Sending love…’
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
MORNING! Saturday 30th May has arrived bright and full of promise here at this year’s @sconepalacegardenfair 💛
It’s the best day out for the whole family, full of J O Y, full of a wonderful generosity of spirit! ✨
If you can make it, I promise you you are in for a treat!
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#SconePalaceGardenFair
Day 1 DONE!
Loved today! Was all kinds of lovely!
First sale today was ‘Migratory Dance’, an original Japanese watercolour artwork on vintage envelope, to a collector of my work from England.
Favourite sale was my Japanese watercolour and graphite pencil original artwork ‘The Moon As My Guide’, which is headed off to Switzerland!
Final sale of the day was a fine art giclée print, ‘Just Whisper’. Which was originally a graphite pencil drawing of a wren nestled beneath a curved bluebell arc. Words inscribed. (I drew this about my Mum)
Best moment of the day was seeing my old friend Penny from my year at Aberdeen College 1996-97, where we both did our portfolios to apply for art college. Penny headed to @edinburghcollegeofart and I headed to @djcad_uod. First catch up since! How times flies. 30 years in a blink!
Scone Palace and Gardens are looking glorious too. Took a wander to the Walled Garden to see the show gardens before heading home with @katiebirdiedoes and @maryfarrelldesign. Saw @mj.archibald too.
It was just a good day. Heart full. Much needed.
Reaffirming and choc full of J O Y !!!!!
💛☀️🌻✨
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
We are just over an hour into this year’s @sconepalacegardenfair 💛
I’ve had some of the loveliest blethers and bosies already! Delighted to have some new pieces of work, and some very favourite pieces also, winging their way to new homes already! 💛
Do come along if you can, it’s a truly lovely event.
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
Shortly I’ll be heading to my bed. Hoping for a sleep that’s deep. Unbroken. So needed. So required also.
A busy day awaits tomorrow, as I head to @sconepalacegardenfair for day 1 of the event.
As I sleep, the moon will watch over me, shining rich and bright in the night sky above.
With equal comfort, the stars will shine. One brighter tonight than ever before. ✨💚
Like lullaby from moon close slumber, I will rest into the darkness and let it sing my soul to sleep.
“Moths to the Moon”, the night winged pollinators dance in the night. Flitting from plant to plant.
Early doors I’ll wake and travel my way to Scone.
This new print will be coming along with me. Perthshire bound. Gathering to where the light shines brightest.
☀️✨🌻🌸💚
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
A little green butterfly on my collar today. Sat alongside my albatross for my Mum, and my lighthouse for my Dad. Three souls remembered.
My dad was part of the design of the butterfly. Awards given in Aberdeenshire for the environment. For people who cared greatly about the land, the landscape, the animals, birds and creepy crawlies who resided there.
Worn today, to remember, and pay tribute, to one of the world’s brightest light bringers. Archie 💚 His favourite colour.
Love sent to Archie’s family. Love sent to all who need it.
One foot in front of the other, we continue. Doing as he, they, would wish us to. That’s how the love continues.
With every footstep forwards taken.
Love Jen x
#TeamArchie
#greenbutterfly
#JOYimprinted
#thelovecontinuesthroughyou
This Friday 29th & Saturday 30th May you will be able to find me, and a host of other creatives nestled amongst lots of beautiful blooms, plants and lovely folks at @sconepalacegardenfair
It’s a gorgeous event, which has become one of my very favourite places to be!
My tent will be full of new work that I’m excited to show you. There are great speakers during the two days who I know will be so inspiring, and the show gardens and people’s choice gardens too!
There is so much to see and do, lots for the wee ones and plenty of water bowls and shade from all the beautiful surrounding trees should your doggy pals require it!
We can’t wait to see you!
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#scottishartistandwriter
#helpingyoufindyourhappyasigoaboutmylifefindingmine
#makingspacesothelightcangetin
Stamps of Moth in a round 🌕
Framing up this eclipse, each moth in singular floating mount within tiny wooden frame.
Treasures, each of them, ready to be placed on my stand at @sconepalacegardenfair this Friday and Saturday!
Tiny artwork, in size, maybe. In effort, love, time and process, each one feels very special to me!
I’m excited for you all to see them in real life!
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#moths
#stampsizedart
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
e m p e r o r m o t h
There is a richness of tone I find, when I paint patterned details. A complimentary to my paint choices, that works as to make the colours sing.
Moths are quiet, to me they have an air of silence, tranquility. Night time visitations to the moon gardens of our world.
I have read, that a collective noun of moths is an eclipse, which I couldn’t love more, truth be told. I imagine multitudes flying towards our Man in the Moon, and their presence enough to cast a shadow, like the earth. Moth shadows clustering across our brightly viewed moon surface. Night sky illuminated.
Pollinators still, they dance in a solemn waltz from flower to flower. Bloom to bloom. Traversing leafy borders, so as to carry those plants on into our futures.
I will have my own eclipse of moths with me at @sconepalacegardenfair this Friday and Saturday.
I’m nervous, as ever. This year even moreso than usual. It’s one of my very favourite places though, and I hope you all love and are bewitched by all my new work, as much as I have been in the making.
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#emperormoth
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
