About Ali

 

Ali Leja is a self-taught professional artist known for her joyful, expressive paintings and distinctive use of color, texture, and loose, energetic brushwork. From whimsical animals and florals to coastal-inspired pieces and playful still lifes, Ali creates art with one simple intention: to make people happy.

Before becoming a full-time artist, Ali spent 20 years as a school counselor. What began as a creative outlet eventually became a second career when she made the decision to teach herself to paint. She painted constantly, trusting her instincts and developing a style that is unmistakably her own.

Working primarily in mixed media, Ali combines acrylic, oil, charcoal, pastel, and other materials to create richly layered pieces with movement and personality. Her approach is intuitive and spontaneous—she prefers bold marks and expressive brushstrokes over perfection, allowing each painting to retain the energy with which it was created.

Animals and nature remain some of Ali’s greatest inspirations. Her bears, foxes, horses, woodland creatures, florals, and other subjects often have a playful sophistication and a bit of humor. Whether it’s a bear enjoying a cocktail, an elegant floral arrangement, or a coastal scene, Ali wants her work to bring personality into a room and, most importantly, make the viewer smile.

Ali’s artwork has developed a national and international following and has been represented by galleries and boutiques throughout the Southeast. Her work has also been selected for licensed collaborations and reproductions with major retailers, including Pottery Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma and HomeGoods, and she has created concert-poster artwork for internationally recognized performers. 

Today, Ali paints full-time from her studio in Duluth, Georgia, creating original paintings, commissioned works, works on paper, and hand-embellished limited-edition prints. 

For Ali, painting is more than a career. It’s a way of choosing joy—and sharing a little of that joy with everyone who brings her art 

 

Ali Leja Art - Paint It Happy