Shelby Leigh

Shelby Leigh Kizer is a professional artist based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she lives with her husband, Zach, and their two daughters, Andi and Kit. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from William Carey University in 2018.

Her artistic journey has been shaped by seasons of pause and renewal. Though she loved creating as a child, she set art aside during her middle school years after comparing my abilities to those of her peers. Nearly a decade later, during her junior year of college, she returned to art through a drawing class. In the years that followed, Shelby rediscovered her love for art and, during that same season of life, came to faith in Christ.

Her work is deeply informed by her Christian faith and her appreciation for the natural world. Rather than depicting Christian imagery literally, she uses color, line, and structure as visual symbols that point toward scriptural truths, allowing the gospel to be communicated through visual language rather than direct illustration.

Shelby creates colorful, whimsical, and expressive interpretations of botanicals and landscapes, primarily using watercolor on paper and acrylic on canvas. Each piece reflects a balance of playfulness and intention, inviting viewers into moments of rest, reflection, and attentiveness to beauty.

“I believe I am created in the image of God and that my creativity is a gift given by Him and ordered toward His glory. I believe God, in His providence, led me back to art, and I pray that He would be glorified through each piece I create.” - Shelby Leigh