City Hall, 215 E. Main St (Lower Level DDA Offices)

Jennifer Lanzilotti - Plymouth, MI

My journey as an artist began only eight years ago. Before that, I had never painted with acrylics. A friend invited me to a paint and wine class, and I discovered how much I enjoyed painting. Not long afterward, fallen leaves landed on my car. Because I have always loved nature, I looked at them and thought, Why not use a leaf as my canvas? That simple idea began my journey as a self-taught artist.

Every piece I create is painted on a real leaf that has naturally died and fallen from the tree. I collect them in the fall while hiking, always looking for leaves that are beautiful, intact, and not too damaged by the elements. I wash, dry, and press each one before painting it. Collecting fallen leaves is important because living leaves still contain moisture and active enzymes that cause them to break down. Once properly dried and pressed, leaves can last an incredibly long time. I even read once about a pressed leaf that was around 200 years old!

My love of hiking and nature inspires many of the landscapes I paint. My leaf art has been featured on Detroit PBS's Detroit Performs, Season 9, Episode 1, displayed in galleries, hospitals, local businesses, and shops,

"Every leaf has already lived one story before I find it. My privilege is to give it another."

October 15 - January 6 |  Learn more about the Artist