Cathy Leaycraft has been photographing for over 40 years. She moved to Baltimore in 1976, where she still resides today. At that time she was working with other artists creating Video Documentaries. This led her to the study of still photography, which she started at the University of Delaware and continued at the Maryland Institute College of Art in the 1980’s. This was followed by periods of study with photographer Duane Michaels.
In the 70’s, her interest in traditional photography quickly found technology in the use of color copy machines, where she began manipulating both color and black and white images. This eventually led to a distinctive photo collage style, some called “hauntingly erotic”.
In the mid 90’s, Ms. Leaycraft was further drawn to technology by the arrival of the computer program Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop allowed her to create effects not possible with her former cut and paste style.
In her computer work Leaycraft continued her exploration of the spiritual subconscious, creating surreal portraits of both men and women. This work was exhibited in the mid to late 1990’s and in to the 2000’s.
Leaving electronic manipulation behind, Leaycraft began to use a 12 inch clear glass ball to produce layered images she called Gazing Ball or Glass Sphere Photographs. She found her subjects in parks, gardens, and, sometimes, her own back yard.
In 2019 Leaycraft began her current body of work using encaustic (an ancient hot wax process) with her photographs.
Ms. Leaycraft’s work is held in many public and private collections including the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, and the MOMA. She has exhibited widely, and received grants and awards, including a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award.
Leaycraft resides in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, Dan, and one cat.