Leighton Persell

Leighton Persell is a contemporary abstract artist whose work explores the quiet complexity of emotion through color, movement, and layered texture. Her paintings exist at the intersection of intuition and intention—each piece unfolding as a visual pathway through feeling rather than a fixed destination.

Drawing from both personal experience and her work in therapeutic, animal-centered environments, Persell creates from a place of deep observation and emotional attunement. Her compositions often balance softness with structure, inviting viewers to slow down, notice, and connect with their own internal landscapes.

Working primarily in acrylic and mixed media, she builds her surfaces through layered mark-making, allowing moments of spontaneity to coexist with thoughtful composition. The result is work that feels both raw and refined—emotionally resonant while maintaining a clean, contemporary aesthetic suited for modern interiors.

Her collection Paths of Feeling reflects an ongoing exploration of emotional movement—how we process, carry, and ultimately transform what we feel.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Kennesaw State University
Certified Animal-Assisted Therapy Professional, Animal Behavior Institute

With over 10 years of experience working in therapeutic and educational settings, my practice is deeply rooted in understanding emotional development, regulation, and human connection. My background in psychology, combined with specialized training in animal-assisted therapy, has shaped the way I approach both my clinical work and artistic expression.

Through years of hands-on experience supporting children and facilitating therapeutic environments, I have developed a strong sensitivity to how emotions are experienced, communicated, and held. This perspective carries into my artwork, where I use intuitive processes, layered textures, and organic movement to explore feeling in a way that is both personal and universally relatable.