Elyssa Leininger
“I create Western and wildlife art to fulfill the desires of my soul to express myself. My works seek to convey my feelings, emotions, and love of the American West and its animals and wildlife to the viewers, so that they, too, may experience my passions.”
Award-winning artist Elyssa Leininger was born and raised in Billings, Montana, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the American West landscapes. She grew up riding and showing horses, participating in rodeo, hunting, fishing, hiking, and creating art that is inspired by her Western lifestyle.
In December of 2011, Elyssa’s passion for art was spurred forward due to a heart surgery that resulted in complications. Upon recovery, she suddenly viewed the world and life as more vibrant and sacred, which inspired artistic visions. She spent a semester abroad in Italy studying art in 2014, and there, she fell in love with art. This experience inspired her to pursue an art degree and she graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in biology, a Bachelor of Arts in art, and a minor in psychology, as well as the Rocky Mountain College Art Award.
Elyssa has received numerous awards for both her fine art and her public art, including the COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 Award, Western Art Week Most Distinguished Body of Work, the HerStory Award, Billings 40 Under 40, and Billings’ Top Four Remarkable Women. She has been featured in museums, auctions, and exhibits across the American West and is one of the largest creators of public art in Montana, with works covering more than 13,000 square feet of public spaces in Billings, including the city’s largest and busiest underpass.
Elyssa is a member of the Western Heritage Artists Association, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame, and she donates her work to numerous organizations and charities. In the spring of 2018, she shared her passion for art by bringing art supplies to an orphanage in Ethiopia, where she taught the children how to paint and draw.
As a colorist, Elyssa implements color psychology into her works to evoke specific emotions within the audience, thus influencing their moods. Her work has been described as “Montana Baroque,” as she utilizes vivid colors and high contrast to create dramatic works portraying the American West. Through her work, Elyssa hopes to captivate and inspire all those who catch a glimpse of her vibrant imagination.
