A Walk Through the Woods with Kristin Leachman '84
Last Wednesday, October 21, Foxcroft welcomed accomplished painter and alumna from the Class of 1984 Kristin Leachman as part of the Helen Cudahy Niblack ‘42 Arts Lecture series, which has the theme, “Inspired by Nature” this year.
During her presentation, Kristin discussed the artistic process she follows when creating a series of paintings. To help explain her work and her, at times, unusual subject matter, she shared a film (another of her creative endeavors) she had made that documented her approach and the inspiration for her latest works — the xylem, the layer beneath the bark, of the California live oak tree. Starting with a canvas covered in layers of black lacquer, Kristin paints an organic pattern inspired by the thin lines and curvature of the xylem. Her finished pieces depict complex movement that almost have a three-dimensional element as the glossy black lacquer shimmers through the negative spaces.
During her presentation, Kristin discussed the artistic process she follows when creating a series of paintings. To help explain her work and her, at times, unusual subject matter, she shared a film (another of her creative endeavors) she had made that documented her approach and the inspiration for her latest works — the xylem, the layer beneath the bark, of the California live oak tree. Starting with a canvas covered in layers of black lacquer, Kristin paints an organic pattern inspired by the thin lines and curvature of the xylem. Her finished pieces depict complex movement that almost have a three-dimensional element as the glossy black lacquer shimmers through the negative spaces.
The visit was special for another reason, as well. When she was a Foxcroft student, Kristin was Fox Painter and had created an iconic banner for the Fox Team. The banner now hangs in the Fox’s goal during every Fox/Hound Field Hockey game and adorns sweatshirts and Foxy merchandise. Having not returned to Foxcroft in 30 years, Kristin had not seen the banner in person since graduating, only in photographs frequently forwarded from friends, and was joyful as she recollected the steps she took to make the banner. How fortunate that the Fun Shop in town had the perfect pink fabric to serve as a canvas!
After her presentation in Morning Meeting, Kristin worked throughout the school day with art students. To discover, explore and be inspired by nature within the uncommonly beautiful setting of Foxcroft’s 500-acre campus, Kristin gave the girls sketchbooks and led them on nature walks in the woods behind Covert (the Head of School’s home), along the cross-country running trail and near the paddocks behind McConnell Stables, where the girls settled in and began to draw what inspired them. As the girls sketched, Kristin wandered among them giving encouragement and advice. Their drawings were presented to Head of School Cathy McGehee by Kristin at the end of her visit.
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After her presentation in Morning Meeting, Kristin worked throughout the school day with art students. To discover, explore and be inspired by nature within the uncommonly beautiful setting of Foxcroft’s 500-acre campus, Kristin gave the girls sketchbooks and led them on nature walks in the woods behind Covert (the Head of School’s home), along the cross-country running trail and near the paddocks behind McConnell Stables, where the girls settled in and began to draw what inspired them. As the girls sketched, Kristin wandered among them giving encouragement and advice. Their drawings were presented to Head of School Cathy McGehee by Kristin at the end of her visit.
Kristin's busy day also included lunch with students preparing portfolios for art school. Senior Rose S. was excited to have the opportunity to meet with Kristin. “As a student with a significant passion for art, I was able to sit down at lunch with Ms. Leachman, along with several other art students, to learn more about her career as an artist,” said Rose. “She encouraged us to create pieces that are different than others, an approach that brought her success and allowed her to differentiate herself from other artists. She also reviewed our works and portfolios, and gave some advice for improvement.”
On Thursday, Kristin returned to campus to talk about art history with Courtney Ulmer’s History of Western Art class. She introduced the class to a number of women artists who also were inspired by nature and who have served as inspiration for her over the years. One of the artists Kristin focused on was Katherine “Kay” Sage, a Foxcroft alum from the Class of 1915 -- although Kristin did not know that until she was doing some research in preparation for the class! Kay was a great surrealist artist in her own right but when her husband, Yves Tanguy, died, she devoted her life to advancing his artistic legacy to the detriment of her own.
Throughout Kristin's visit, the girls warmed up immediately to her easy, approachable style. Perhaps the combination of having grown up nearby and having attended Foxcroft herself established a sense of familiarity. By the end of her visit, students were greeting her in the hallways as if she were an old friend.
Kristin Leachman’s work is on display at the San Diego Museum of Art, The National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, as well as numerous private collections. Her work was also recently acquired for the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, by the US Department of State. Her production design work in film includes Senzeni Na?, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject movie.
The Helen Cudahy Niblack ’42 Arts Lecture Series was established by Austi Brown ’73 in memory of her mother. Since it began in 2007, the series has brought a variety of literary, performing and fine artists to Foxcroft to share their work, stories, and perspective on the nature of the creative process with both students and the larger community. One of the goals of the Niblack series is to provide an artist with the opportunity to share her artistic journey in a comfortable and familiar setting, creating space for an exchange of ideas that just might inspire a Foxcroft girl or two to chase her own artistic dreams.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
