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 few hours without distractions, spent editing some new birdies whilst milking a large cappuccino! It’s been forever since I worked somewhere that wasn’t my dining table at home or my studio… and I’ll admit, it was very, very lovely.
The usual opening and closing of doors to facilitate cats coming in, or going back outside… on repeat. Cats playing a usual game of ‘I’m starving!!’ Whilst sat gazing at me longingly from beside the kitchen cupboard. Cats also, knocking pencils off the table, to gain MORE of my attention. Washing finishing… washing machine beeping… washing to be hung up… washing to put on. Snacks to peruse in the fridge. Extra coffees to make. Knocks at the door. Post through the letterbox… all those things, did NOT happen. For 3 blissful hours, and it was so productive. Focus was easy. Maybe this is a plan to continue into the coming months should that level of concentration be required again.
Earphones in and tune after glorious tune. Some notemaking in my journal and reminders placed in my 2026 Juniper Press diary (which is beautiful, and such a joy to fill with lovely plans).
New ways of working, and new ways of BEING refresh our minds and our experiences. They do say a change is as good as a rest, and today, weirdly, felt so very restful despite the productivity that occurred as a result!
Ever onwards.
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#scottishartist
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#birdiesinflight
#whatsonmydesk
I hoped for a piece of cobalt blue sea glass.
I imagined we would find it at the far end of the beach. Where we would then turn and come back.
It happened. Just as we reached our farthest point, it lay there on the sandy ground.
‘There it is!’ I shouted to my daughter, as if, this particular piece was the one I had searched for. Like I had lost it, and only this jewel of ocean worn blue would be found so gladly.
Like it was meant. Like it was mine. Like it was ours.
The sea brought it to me. Time and space to look. Mindful searching of the sand.
Look at it though! Look through it to the blue.
We found it. 💙
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#blue
A day of love, light, and lovely places with the loveliest people.
The gym early doors for some strength and conditioning. Some new artwork editing, this Sunshine Yellowhammer freshly flying into the world! Lunch with my littlest (who is nearly as tall as me now!!!) and my husband made it too! Then a gorgeous sunny and still wander along Leven beach with my daughter also. Mindfully collecting sea glass (me) and shells and interesting rocks (her). Two and a half miles of chats and gentle steps, surrounded by the sounds of the sea, and birds aplenty.
Aw, it was so good. So sooo good. Feel calmer and happier for it.
#JOYimprinted
#yellowhammer
#birdiesinflight
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
My Alba basking in sunshine in one from a couple days ago, and fuming at the fact she was unable to have her breakfast yesterday morning in the other.
A trip up to my work for a dental. I was on recoveries and post operative care yesterday, so was thankful to be able to nurse her until we returned home.
Breakfast eaten today, a small jaunt into the garden, and pain relief taken, I hope her mend will be swift and trouble free.
Alba is my little sidekick, my heart cat and my spirt animal, it has always felt.
Everyone cross fingers she heals well.
Animals prove such a comfort, in all the times, I think, but particularly in times of need. She rests with me.
So very grateful for my amazing friends and colleagues who cared for her so well yesterday.
#mycatalba
#albagubràth
#artcat
#caturday
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
My journal entry from March is rich in connection to home and to who I am.
A Martin. In essence and in actuality. One who loves to travel; and to whom home is so very important.
I speak of migration and murmurations.
If you’d like to read more, the link to my website is in my bio, but also, I’ll post a link in my stories.
Words, act as art in themselves, I SEE the imagery I create as I write. I know not all people do, I can’t imagine my wordy world any other way!
#JennaMartinLeitchWriter
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#housemartin
#migratorybirds
#scottishartist
A n G i b l e a n
A p r i l
April is here. No fools played on me… I was well and truly aware that it was the first of the month, where jokes are played and, otherwise, we feel ready to be caught out.
Not I, for once I was very ready to step into this new month. With trepidation perhaps, but still, here, with every aspect of my being.
I have written in recent days, of feelings, happenings and more, in a new journal post. Placed on my website, I have linked it in my stories, and I’d love if you stopped by to read what I have written.
I have been painting again. Katie asked yesterday, “has it been helping?” The answer being yes. In ways, I can’t so truly and so richly verbalize, as what putting paintbrush and pencil to paper does, in its own special way… but it very much has.
New birds, and ideas spring forth, taking flight, and breathing easier, for the light that is within our days now.
I feel steadier in ways. In a different place in terms of grief. Not easier, but changing… as the seasons do also.
There are other journal posts too, for each month that has been before. Each carefully thought and crafted. Words playing a generous part, in helping me work things through.
Welcome then, to you, to April.
An Giblean in the Scottish Gaelic.
We continue. Learning as we go.
Jen x
#AnGiblean
#AprilComeSheWill
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#JennaMartinLeitchWriter
#longtailedtit
I stopped yesterday morning… roadside, behind trees. The trees between the sun and I.
Like criss cross and spider web, the fractals of lights disconnected, but at the same time enhanced, by the tangle before it.
Sunlight, so bright, so warm, so rich. I thought it like ember, burning in grate, as if a fire in smolder.
The warmth apparent, it was just after 6 in the morning, but yet, I’d been awake for hours already. Gym done, and heading back homewards for coffee, shower, get ready for work, and then head to Dundee by 7.
My day often starts about 4.30am. I sleep well, deep, dream full, but, my waking hours are from early bird to early bed. I am not a night owl, and in those spring, summer months, I’m so glad of early light.
It fills me up, makes my aliveness more apparent, and palpable within.
Frequently asked, if I could ‘sleep longer’, the answer is no. I could pretend, but I don’t. I could lay still, quiet, but rest would not be within me. I would be alert, and thinking. Thought after thought after thought, but with no action to quell the lists I create in my head.
Days of plans and of promise, therefore, start early.
It helps me see the light. It helps me create and forge and write. Exercise and sit in the quiet. All the things which help me keep doing what I love.
Brightness. With space to let the light in.
(I wanted to tell you of that sunrise Dad.)
The last day of @marchmeetthemaker and a frequently asked question… how do I fit it all in? The answer… because I am a better person for it, so I just make it happen. Little pieces, placed together. Each of them mine, light falling upon them. Not all as big or as ‘perfect’ as I’d hope, but I do my best, and I continue. As he, and they, would have hoped for me.
#marchmeetthemaker
#faq
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#JennaMartinLeitchWriter
#sunrise
‘From Above… From Below…’
“Two large works on paper. A diptych. Placed together.
Eyes meeting.
Lines in graphite and pattern. Of imagination. Imagined feather. Imagined plume.
For you Mum. From me. “
My Mum’s maiden name was Rook, and I drew these for her, five years ago now, in 2021, the year she left this world.
They were very important to me, because they meant so much… they still mean so much.
I love the pattern and the graphite tones. It felt musical to draw, so relaxing, and so cathartic. Just like a gentle rhythmic creation of pattern over form.
They’re still some of my favourite works I’ve made. I plan to revisit this idea, in the form of other birds. Other stories.
#revisit
#marchmeetthemaker
#rooks
#fromabovefrombelow
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼
Daytime stars on green.
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#noticings
My birdies in flight are some of my favourite things to make. Arising from a glorious state of artistic flow, and the joy of just creating freehand colour and pattern within the outline sketch of a garden bird.
I love to watch the birds in our garden, and whilst out on runs or walks, I often stop to chat to a friendly wee soul.
They flit away, but not before I take in the colours and tone that I enjoy within their plumage.
Intricate and detailed, and yet, not always and at the same time.
I was calmed into waiting until I felt ready to put paintbrush to paper with my most recent birdie works, by the welcomed words of my good friend @louisekirbydesign
To wait until the time, and the feeling was right. This last week it has been. For whatever reason I’ve felt able to paint, and to really enjoy the process. Stolen moments within the life of the busy.
Grief is an unpredictable place to reside. I’m trying to roll with the punches but also, to be kind to me. Do all the things that help me process, and also help me to create space to grow and move forward.
Running has been hard in places also. But I’ve intentionally stepped outside and gained time on feet. Sometimes as a walk, sometimes as a run, sometimes outside and sometimes on treadmill. Moving forward every time. One step at a time.
Forward in increments.
Tiny steps and tiny birds.
For me, they go together. They symbolize joy and flight and resilience.
Small but mighty. We continue.
#birdiesinflight
#howitsmade
#marchmeetthemaker
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
📸 @jillyjillystudio
I’ve noticed daisies this week. Dotted within our lawn, and otherwise, in the world I’ve wandered this last week.
Tiny sunshines with petals surrounding. They’re tiny joys to me.
Today would have been my Mum’s 83rd birthday. The Spring Equinox, and also, the International Day of Happiness coincide with her day.
I always think this is such a lovely twist of fate. A day filled with increasing light, and in theory, increasing happy. Just as she would want her birthday to be.
I started my day very bright and early, heading out to the gym by half past 5. Home for half past 6, I was very aware of birds, in abundance.
I saw two wrens, song thrushes, two male chaffinches in flurry of fight, two robins dancing on pavement. A rook, carrying sizable twig, through woodland up to a nest in progress. I saw blackbirds, and heard them. Multitudes and rich in song. So many birds.
Then up to work, where I looked after the animals of Dundee and surrounding areas in my care.
Now home, and cat on my knee, having enjoyed my dinner and safe and sound within our home.
I spoke to a friend today, one of my bestest. She spoke of the humble things which she is so very grateful for. Simple pleasures that make our world the happiest we could ever imagine. Today has been filled with mine.
My Mum would only ever hope for that. For my brother and I, my little family, to be happy.
It’s a gift in itself, and should she still be here in this world, she would be delighted.
Ever onwards.
Jen x
#JOYimprinted
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
I saw a skylark today. Flitting, as they do, so brightly and vivaciously above ploughed field.
The sun still low, dazzling my eyes to the right, as this tiny bird, dazzled them also, to my left.
A flurry of twinkling wing. Fast and not so much furious, but joyous, it danced in vertical steadfast, gently lifting as if by magic.
Momentary so it was, I thought of Dad. How I would have told him I’d seen it. Had he still been here.
Listening to a book at same time, audiobooks part salvation, “The Madness of Grief” by the Reverend Richard Coles. A book, I stumbled upon, and yet, his words, although such a different personal situation, remarkably, and comfortingly, recounting so much of what I have been through, and indeed, am going through.
I painted this skylark, for my Dad, upon the occasion of his 81st birthday. Upon a Lomond Hills skyline twig, the lyric of Ella Fitzgerald. A singer we both adored. Words which seemed to fitting.
Gold. Twinkling, shining, just as today’s skylark did. Just as his lovely face did also.
✨
#JOYimprinted
#skylark
#JennaMartinLeitchArtist
#EllaFitzgerald
#willothewisp
@revrichardcoles
