Biography
Lea Colie Wight was born in Philadelphia, Pa in 1951. She earned a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1974.  In 2003 Lea discovered Studio Incamminati, a small intensive Atelier founded in Philadelphia by world renowned artist Nelson Shanks and entered as a student.  Lea flourished in the environment of rigorous study under the attention of Nelson Shanks and the other top realist painters instructing at the school.  In 2005 Lea was invited to join the teaching staff rising to become one of the lead teachers at that school.  Lea periodically serves as teaching assistant to Nelson Shanks at the Art Students League on New York and has served as lead instructor for various Studio Incamminati workshops.
Lea maintains a studio in Manasquan, New Jersey as well as at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia.

SPRING 2009 -
Lea's painting "Waiting" was selected as one of the 15 finalists paintings that were juried for the top awards  at the 2009 Portrait Society of America annual convention. The painting was selected from over 1,300 entries to this years competition and was awarded an Honor Award.
"Morning" was awarded 3rd place at the 2009 Salon International exhibit at Greenhouse Gallery, Texas.
"Breakfast News" has been juried into the prestigious Salmagundi Club's annual non-member show in NYC this June.  Update:  "Morning" has been awarded the Art Times award.

Lea is featured artist in American Artist magazine, November 2009

Selected Exhibitions & Competitions

2009    Portrait Society of America annual Portrait Competition, top 15 finalist
2009    F.A.N. Gallery, Philadelphia, Group Show
2009   Salon International - Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio Texas, 3rd Place and Honorable Mention, Daniel Green, Juror
2009   The Ambassador's Show: Portrait Society of America, Bernardsville, NJ
2008   Solo Show "Beyond Classical Realism: Paintings of Light and Color" Georgian Court University
2008   Drawing Magazine, Finalist Cover Competition
2008   Studio 21 Gallery, "The Art of Drawing", Charlotte NC
2008    International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art Salon, Green House Gallery, Texas
2007, 2006, 2005 American Red Cross Benefit Show, Princeton, NJ

2006    Mastery and Meaning: Nelson Shanks with Studio Incamminati Instructors, The Union League, 
            Philadelphia

2006    The Art Students League of New York

2005    The Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Annual Juried Exhibition

2004    Daylesford Abbey, Paoli, Pa

2003    NJ American Artist’s Professional League Juried Show

2002    Ocean County Artists Association Print Media Exhibition

2002    Art Alliance Annual NJ State Juried Exhibition

2001    Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury NJ Juried Exhibition

Teaching

2005 to present - Instructor Core Program, Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia, PA

2005 to present - Instructor, Studio  Incamminati  Advanced and Intensive Workshops

The Art Students League, New York City, teaching assistant to Nelson Shanks

Bibliography

American Artist Magazine, November 2009 featured artist

"Lea Colie Wight - Painting What You See at a Glance"
American Artist Drawing Magazine Summer 2008

American Artist Drawing Magazine, Fall, 2007, “Top Drawing Schools & Ateliers”

The Art Students League of New York, 2006-2007 catalog

Broad Street Review, Philadelphia, November 2006

American Artist Workshop Magazine, Winter 2005

The Art Renewal Center web site – Ateliers

Education

BFA Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1074

Printmaking, Georgian Court College, 2000

Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia Pa, 2004 - present