Leigh Anne Norman

To understand the inspiration behind my art, one need only look to my roots. I spent many, many days of my childhood outdoors. Growing up in a community called Crossroads in rural Louisiana, my family had a diverse array of animals over the years, including dogs, cats, cows, donkeys, a horse, a rabbit, and chickens. We also enjoyed activities like fishing, playing outside, and exploring the world around us. I am primarily a self-taught artist. As a child, I filled shoeboxes and notebooks with sketches of cartoon and comic characters. Occasionally, for fun, I still return to my first love of sketches and whimsical drawings and paintings. Around the age of ten, I took a few oil painting lessons — the only formal instruction I’ve ever had. Years later, when life allowed more space, I returned to painting with renewed focus and purpose. Using reference photos, often my own, I work primarily in acrylic on stretched canvas, canvas board, and gessobord, capturing the essence and personality of each subject with close attention to detail. Many of my wildlife paintings feature species native to the region where I was raised, with images that reflect both personal memories and natural beauty. The name CrossroadsArtCo pays homage to that place and the quiet, outdoor life that shaped me.