Field Note | Beacon of Hope

Written By Leanna Weber

June 27, 2026

I entered this photograph into the PhotoZone Juried Photography Show today because it's been hanging in our home, quietly waiting to be seen.

I took this photograph in December 2008, back when I was still working a full-time day job while also building my photography business. If you look closely, you'll see a tiny figure walking near the lighthouse. That's my husband.

The very next morning, we were in an auto accident, and our lives took a direction we never could have imagined. Thank God we all walked away. We still live with some of the pain today, but we have so much to be grateful for.

Maybe that's part of why this photograph means so much to us.

The framed piece isn't for sale, but I do have prints available if anyone is interested. They look beautiful on metallic paper.

I'll let you know if Beacon of Hope is selected for the exhibition.

— Leanna

Leanna Weber

About Leanna

Leanna Weber is an Oregon-based watercolor artist, fine art photographer, and creative encourager with more than 20 years of experience helping people see the beauty in the world around them. Her artistic journey began long before watercolor, building a successful photography business where she specialized in portraiture, storytelling, and creating meaningful artwork for families. That foundation continues to influence every painting she creates today.

Since discovering watercolor in 2019, Leanna has become known for her expressive, emotion-filled paintings that celebrate light, atmosphere, and the imperfect beauty of life. Whether painting florals, portraits, beloved pets, or landscapes, she is drawn less to perfect realism and more to capturing the feeling of a moment.

As a teacher and creative encourager, Leanna believes anyone can learn to paint. Her classes focus on observation, simplification, and letting go of perfection, creating an encouraging environment where students gain confidence while discovering their own artistic voice. Her teaching philosophy—The Magic of Expressive Imperfection—invites artists of every skill level to embrace the unexpected beauty that watercolor offers.

Drawing from decades of experience as both a professional photographer and artist, Leanna teaches students not only how to paint what they see, but how to see like an artist—finding beauty, emotion, and story in everyday moments.

Today, Leanna creates original watercolor paintings, teaches workshops throughout Oregon, accepts a limited number of commissions each year, and shares her creative journey online in hopes of encouraging others to slow down, notice the beauty around them, and discover the joy of creating.

https://www.leannaweberart.com
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