The rest of my story ...
My quest to find balance began early. A child of divorce forced me to figure out how to behave in two totally different and oftentimes opposing environments. Dad was a rule breaker and Mom a rule follower.
When going into college I struggled to rectify the two different parts of my personality. Should I be an engineer or artist? Should I dress like the free-spirited bohemian or the well dressed tailored professional woman? Both of which I loved greatly!
In my 20’s and 30’s I tried to rectify how I could be a driven 'Type A' driven entrepreneur while also being a nurturing 'Type B' stay-at-home mom. How can I be both an introvert and an extrovert? How can I be a free spirit without a care, yet be such a logical analytical perfectionist?
It wasn’t until my mid 40’s when confronted with divorce, and estrangement from my children, that I was forced to rectify all the opposing factions of my personality. I turned to art and alternative healing therapies to work my way through this abyss, and give myself permission to be fully present with all faucets of my personality simultaneously.
Now in my 50s, thirty years of realism has turned into dualistic abstractions. At times, I create intuitively with bold organic swishes, and other times with planned logical geometric patterns and designs. Designs that incorporate both the light and the dark, that feel both chaotic and yet controlled. Compositions that incorporate both smooth and textured surfaces that resonate with strength and vulnerability, that feel in control yet free at the same time.
My creations are an attempt to find balance through the study of duality. By creating my 2D and 3D organic and geometric art, I find a sense of peace within my spirit, as if I am reclaiming all the lost or broken pieces of my soul and reassembling them in an orderly and balanced fashion, hence the name of this collection: Calming Chaos.
I hope you find as much peace in my pieces, as I did while making them.
Namaste.
- Erin Leigh
Curiculum Vitae
Artist Erin Leigh Boughamer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2022 - Current Principal Artist / Owner Event Painting By Erin
2016 - Current Art Teacher Grades PreK - 12
2013 - Current Principal Artist / Owner Paint Sip Fun Inc.
1998 - Current Artist / Designer / Educator / Owner Erin Leigh Studios
2009 - 2013 Artist / Graphic Designer / Owner Xyngmall
2008 - 2009 Art Teacher Substitute Grades 1-6 Pioneer Valley Montessori
1996 - 1999 Interior Design Assistant & Office Manager Homeworks Inc.
1995 Interior Design & Administrative Assistant Earl Flansburg & Associates
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS, JURIED SHOWS & AWARDS
2025 Solo Exhibition, Calming Chaos, Jorgensen Gallery, Storrs, CT
2023 Solo Exhibition, Endangered Animals, Brooks Room Gallery, Wilbraham, MA
2020 Juried Group Exhibition, The House of Art, Monson Arts Council, Monson, MA Honorable Mention
2020 Juried Group Exhibition, Big Cats, The National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, WY 2009 Solo Exhibition, Full Autonomy, Starbucks Gallery, Avon, CT
2008 Juried Group Exhibition, Dane Gallery and Gallery 137, Springfield, MA
2007 Juried Group Exhibition, The House of Art Gallery, Monson Arts Council, Monson, MA Honorable Mention
2006 Solo Exhibition, Fruitful Abundance, Starbucks Gallery, Longmeadow, MA
2005 Two Woman Exhibition, The Fruits of our Labor, Dane Gallery, Springfield, MA
2004 Solo Exhibition, I am Mother, Val-Ray Gallery, Glastonbury, CT
2003 Juried Group Exhibition, The House of Art Gallery, Monson Arts Council, Monson, MA Best in Category
2001 - 2003 Juried Show, Celebrate West Hartford, West Hartford, CT
2001 - 2003 Juried Show, Apple Harvest Art Show, Southington, CT - Best in Show
2001 - 2003 Juried Show, Meet the Artists and Artisans, Mystic, CT & Milford, CT
2001 - 2003 Juried Show, On the Green Art Festival, Glastonbury, CT - Best in Category
2001 - 2003 Juried Show, The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT
2002 Group Exhibition, Our Flag was Still There, Dane Gallery, Springfield, MA Exhibit also traveled throughout New England & New York
2002 Juried Show, Wickford Art Festival, North Kingston, RI - Honorable Mention
1998 Juried Show, Cultural Arts Alliance of Hopkinton, Hopkinton, MA - Best in Show
1994 Group Exhibition, BFA Senior Exhibition: 1994, The Pit Gallery, Storrs, CT
1994 Group Exhibition, Advanced Photography Student Show, The Pit Gallery, Storrs, CT
1993 Solo Exhibition, Broken Reflections, Fine Art Quadrangle, Storrs, CT
EDUCATION
2023 Coursework in Glass, Kiln Casting with Dori Guthrie, Snow Farm, Williamsburg, MA
2023 Coursework in Clay, Introduction to Hand Building, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
2022 Coursework in Metal, Beginner Metalsmithing, Silver Spiral Creations, WInstead CT
2022 Coursework in Glass, Lampwork 101, Silver Street Glass, North Granby, CT
2017 Coursework in Oil Painting, Smith Art Museums, Springfield, MA
2001 Coursework in Figure Drawing, Smith Art Museum, Springfield, MA
1994 Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
COLLECTIONS & COMMISSIONS
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS:
INTERNATIONAL: Canada, Denmark, Dubai, England, Italy, Mexico
NATIONAL: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont,
Virginia, West Virginia
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS:
Worthington Vineyards, Somers, CT
Writing in the Skies , Westhampton, MA
Pioneer Valley Montessori, Springfield, MA
St. Mary’s Catholic School, Longmeadow, MA
PRESS & PUBLICATIONS
2025 Newspaper: Maina Durafour, New Alumni Exhibition “Calming Chaos”, The Chronicle CT, Vol. 142
No.42, February 19, 2025, https://www.thechronicle.com/news/new-alumni-exhibition-calming-chaos/article_edba7256-ee3b-11ef-82ed-4f532d5ea877.html
2025 Newspaper: Amanda Munson, “Teens enjoy “Paint, Sip, Fun” night”, The Wilbraham-Hampden
Times, February 6, 2025 https://wilbrahamhampdentimes.turley.com/wht-archives/WBH020625.pdf
2024 Newspaper: Noelle Hisgen, “Kids and teens get artsy at Paint, Sip, Fun”, The
Wilbraham-Hampden Times, August 1, 2024 https://wilbrahamhampdentimes.turley.com/wht-archives/WBH080124.pdf
2020 TV: Rachel Lutzker, Paint Sip Fun is offering free virtual painting and drawing classes,
WTIC-TV/Fox61, Hartford, CT, March 25, 2020.
2020 TV: Ciara Speller, Stuck at home bored? Try virtual painting, drawing classes, WWLP TV/22News,
Springfield, MA, March 25, 2020. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/stuck-at-home-bored-try-virtual-painting-drawing-classes/
2020 TV: CBS Miami, How to socialize safely in the era of Coronavirus, WBFS TV / CBS 4, Miami, FL,
April 8, 2020
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/coronavirus-safe-at-home-socializing-in-the-era-of-covid-19/
2018, 2020 BOOK: Boughamer, Erin Leigh, 13 Much, Self Published, June 2018 and June 2020.
Author, Artist, Designer, Editor, Self Published
2007 BOOK: Carter, Sheryl Rain, 2019, Ma’heo’o Reiki, Lulu Publishing, July 2019
Contributing Author, Illustrator, Designer, Editor, Publisher
WORKSHOPS / LECTURES
2021 “UCONN School of Fine Arts Career Panel / Art & Art History”, School of FIne Art Alumni, panelist,
UCONN Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT October 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrKw9UW4ElQ
2022 “Fine Arts 101: Virtual Paint Night”, UCONN Alumni Events, presenter, UCONN Alumni Relations,
June 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IWI3UBhcj4
2020 “Paint Sip Fun with UMASS”, UMASS Homecoming 2020, presenter, UMASS Amherst Alumni
Association, October 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCxK93ussII&t=108s
2020 “Paint Night with UCONN Alumni”, UCONN Alumni Events, presenter, UCONN Alumni Relations,
Contact Info
413 . 262 . 1537
insta @meeterinleigh
Discover the Art of Erin Leigh
Calming Chaos Series
Explore Erin Leigh's latest series titled "Calming Chaos" A collection that celebrates the tranquility and peace that exists even amidst life's mayhem and discord.
Archive
Get lost in the myriad of Erin Leigh's drawings and paintings form the past 25 years. These artworks are a testament to her ever evolving need for exploration within her body of work.
Commission Pieces
Commission Pieces
From Wine Label Art to Architectural Drawings, Treasured Object Collages to Wedding Portraits. A commission piece designed completely around your needs to fit your space.
Reviews
“When I really look at the entire picture, I am reminded of something evolving. It is so peaceful, almost nurturing.”
~ Carolyn
"To describe Erin’s abstract work is pretty difficult. Not because it is confusing or nonsensical, but quite the opposite. To me most abstract is nonsense and I feel zero connection but I see glimmers of genius and intelligence in Erin’s work.”
~ Matt
"Your abstract work is very fluid and continuous, always flowing towards and away from an unknown starting point. It very much reminds me of the ocean or a feather blowing in the wind. To me, it really mimics the ebb and flow of life."
~Ashley
More from Erin Leigh
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Capturing your special moment in real-time onsite as your guests watch and enjoy.
Learn from Erin Leigh
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Live Wedding & Event Painting
In person and virtual art classes for every age and every occasion: Fundraisers, Home Parties, Office Parties, Team Building, Date Night, Girls Night Out, Church Groups, Birthdays, Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Shower, Family Outing, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Reunions, Club Outings, or JUST FOR FUN!
Commission Erin Leigh
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Commission Erin Leigh
Art designed completely around your needs, with colors and sizing tailored to fit perfectly in your home or place of business. Animal portrait, house portraits, custom wine label painting ... contact me to discuss your project.
Our Partners
More from Erin Leigh
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Capturing your special moment in real-time onsite as your guests watch and enjoy.
Learn from Erin Leigh
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Live Wedding & Event Painting
In person and virtual art classes for every age and every occasion: Fundraisers, Home Parties, Office Parties, Team Building, Date Night, Girls Night Out, Church Groups, Birthdays, Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Shower, Family Outing, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Reunions, Club Outings, or JUST FOR FUN!
Commission Erin Leigh
Live Wedding & Event Painting
Commission Erin Leigh
Art designed completely around your needs, with colors and sizing tailored to fit perfectly in your home or place of business. Animal portrait, house portraits, custom wine label painting ... contact me to discuss your project.