Leif Ritchey is an American contemporary artist whose practice spans across the disciplines of art, music, and fashion. He is in that generation of artists whose practice is defined by its commitment to a multi-disciplinary approach. A devoted colorist, Leif is known for his use of pale pastel colors and manipulated pours. Various materials including textiles, papers and bits of dried paint find their way into the composition, resulting in a densely textured and layered surface.

My process involves layering, imprinting, and excavating…building and removing layers. In doing this I can weave the collage materials and paint with the energy of the moment.

(Leif Ritchey, February 2025)

From 2002 – 2009 Ritchey and his wife owned and operated a fashion line called Leif & Tooya, which was recognized for erasing the boundaries between design and craft. He is a founding member, with his father James Ritchey, of the musical group Shades, an Ann Arbor based improvisational band. Leif notes "colors are colors and objects are objects, they dance together make music - a jam. I listen to the music and lose myself in it, dance along, live it, colors and forms find alchemy unknown".

Ritchey’s work has been exhibited in New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Detroit, MI; Torino, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; Luxembourg and Singapore. A native of Ann Arbor, Ritchey maintains a studio in Detroit.