Left Facing Sperm Whale | Heather McLeod

Dimensions: 13.5" L x 7" H x .25" W
Pen & Pen & Ink

Heather McLeod is an artist whose work explores themes of identity, concealment, and, more recently, the landscape of Nantucket. She was first introduced to the island through a residency with the Artists Association of Nantucket, where she spent a month creating work inspired by the island’s history and natural environment. Since that initial experience, she has returned each year, spending weeks or months on Nantucket and deepening her engagement with its landscape.

It was during these visits that McLeod began focusing more fully on landscape painting and, more recently, on detailed ink drawings that feature local scenery alongside whale imagery. Her delicate line work often evokes the appearance of traditional etching or scrimshaw, yet each piece is drawn entirely by hand, making every work unique. Today, her paintings and drawings can be found throughout Nantucket, including at Nantucket Looms, Pierce Galleries, Thomas Macy Gallery, and the Artists Association of Nantucket.

McLeod was born and raised in the greater New York area. She earned her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA from the New York Academy of Art. Her career has included artist residencies in Nantucket, Rome, New York City, and, most recently, at the Kylemore Residency in Ireland.

Her exhibitions include a solo show at Trotter & Sholer Gallery in New York City, as well as group exhibitions at Sugarlift Gallery and Robert Lange Gallery. MacLeod is also a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Research Grant to study in Italy and of two Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grants.

In addition to maintaining a full-time studio practice, MacLeod serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is currently based in Providence, Rhode Island.