Kezleigh
New Media Artist
"I’m not interested in creating an illustration. I want to create something that has its own life and power." - Kezleigh
Biography
Kezleigh, also known as Amy Merritt is a new media, digital artist from Muskoka, Ontario Canada. Formally trained as a designer, Kezleigh is focused on nostalgia, dreams, and memories. She feels that at the core of every human, a soul is processing what the conscious mind is living.
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Often working in an abstract timeline, Kezleigh’s art deals with, shadow work, identity, and mental health. She works digitally and uses acrylic glass and UV-laser ink as her medium. Bright colours, digitally rendered textures, and organic shapes are shown in multiple panels. Custom work is often site-specific and works with the chosen location seamlessly.
Most recently, she was part of the Artist Project in Toronto, ON. She’s been featured in galleries such as the Arta Gallery, Hazelton Fine Art Galleries, The Propeller Art Gallery, and Gallery 1313.
She has shown work nationally and internationally.
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She currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Studio Practise
"I have a unique way of expressing my work. It took a few years to develop the process I have now. It’s forever changing and I like that about my art.
I don’t have a linear way of working or even have much of a studio. Most of my work is done intuitively and when I’m in flow states. I’m usually sitting on the floor, wherever that may be, listening to music.
I work on my tablet and computer, using various software programs. Jumping from one project to another, from tablet to computer. Each piece takes anywhere from a week to a month before I feel it’s ready to be finalized. When finalizing, I create die-lines and tweak colours to be printer-ready. I then send it off to a specialized print shop that UV-laser-inks the work onto acrylic glass. It’s cut on the die-lines and finished with a one-inch backer and claw-tooth hangers. The work appears to float on the walls when installed.
Most of my art is multi-paneled, meaning there is more than one piece to the overall work. Right now (as of 2023), I am working on adding panels on top of existing panels, creating a 3D look and more depth.
Shortly, I plan on thermoforming (think plastic mold forms) pieces for texture and adding even more depth.”
