Interview

May 6

Leamne Arias Deniz

After living in seven different countries, Leamne Arias Deniz has found a lasting home in Edinburgh. Her diverse life experiences are woven into the fabric of her work, which reflects a deep passion for travel, colour, and architecture. She works across watercolours, collage painting, and ceramics, drawing inspiration from cityscapes, textures, and vibrant palettes. Architecture features prominently in her work, often blending memory and imagination to evoke a sense of place. Leamne is especially known for her small ceramic houses, beloved across the city for their charm and character - and often said to make excellent homes for fairies. Each one is handmade, unique, and full of whimsy. Her studio is open to the public and located in the heart of Edinburgh at 15 East Market Street, EH8 8FS, where visitors are welcome to explore her creative world in person.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born into a creative family and spent years living in different countries before settling in Edinburgh in 2011. Although I studied art, I never imagined I’d pursue it as a career - until a turning point at age 24. During a visit to my uncle in Puerto Rico, he suggested I create a small collection of cityscapes for his gift shop. After a few hesitant tries, I let go of expectations and created my first collage and watercolor paintings, embracing a style that felt true to me. At first, I worried my work was too whimsical and childlike to be taken seriously, but staying authentic led to unexpected success. From that moment, I’ve worked as a full-time artist. Back in Edinburgh, I opened my first studio shop. It was a tough lesson - the location was wrong, and I lacked experience - but it didn’t stop me. I kept going, learning along the way, until I finally found a space where I could grow and feel truly at home.”

What inspires you?

“What inspires me is the feeling of movement and discovery - the colours of different places, the textures of old buildings, and the stories hidden in everyday corners. I’m drawn to architecture, not just for its structure but for its character. I love playful, imperfect details - crooked rooftops, narrow windows, tiny balconies. Those little things spark my imagination.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I’m inspired by quiet streets, crooked roofs, and the feeling of home - fleeting, magical, and worth holding onto.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work is colourful and child-like.”

Which artists influence you most?

“My mum - I grew up in her workshop, seeing her do screen printing and ceramics. As a child, I wanted to feel that passion I saw in her. I looked for it all the way through my studies and also in hobbies, but I only managed to find it 30 years later through consistency and hard work, focusing deeply on my everyday work until I loved it like a child.”

“What inspires me is the feeling of movement and discovery - the colours of different places, the textures of old buildings, and the stories hidden in everyday corners.”

What is your creative process like?

“Ideas always come at the wrong moment. I let them settle, then pick them up again. Eventually, I have to adapt them to the real work. In ceramics, that means perfecting the design through tests and adjusting to the materials. But when I paint, I try to keep the process as organic as possible, often ending up surprised by the final result.”