Jane Blatchford was born into an artistic family in a small NSW country town. Surrounded by creatives—her father originally an art teacher and her aunt and uncle both recognised artists—she grew up constantly making and designing. By six she was creating clothes for her dolls; by nine she was receiving some art tutoring from her aunt in Forbes, sparking a lifelong love of art.
Growing up immersed in creativity, Leah began her artistic journey at the age of five at Young Artists Visual Art School, founded by her mother in 2010. Over 12 years of classes, she explored a wide range of mediums—from printmaking to pottery—before discovering her passion for painting. Encouraged by her family and the nurturing Young Artists community, she developed a deep appreciation for art as a way of expressing ideas, emotions, and stories.
Throughout her youth, she participated in competitions such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show, earning multiple awards including first place in the clay category. In her final year of high school, her series Byte by Byte was selected for ARTEXPRESS 2024 at Hazelhurst Gallery, a milestone achievement that fueled her interest in surrealist realism and conceptual storytelling. She continued developing her practice through competitions like Mosman Youth and was honoured to win the 16-18 years category in the Young Archies 2024 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Today, Leah balances a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney with a growing art practice, taking on commissions and creating new work for exhibitions. As both a teacher and assistant at Young Artists, as well as a workshop facilitator in other creative spaces, she loves inspiring children to explore their imagination and gain confidence through art.
Blending teaching, ongoing study, and active involvement in the art community, Leah is committed to continual growth—both personally and as an educator. She strives to share the transformative power of creativity with every young artist who walks into the studio.
