about

Hi. I’m Carrie, and I have a confession. I’m a make-a-holic. I like designing and making anything and everything, and I’ve had a series of careers based on creativity. As a designer and illustrator, I worked in New York for a few great design firms, then moved to San Francisco and started my own firm – Leeb & Sons. I continue to do design, branding and illustration – mostly for companies I’ve founded. After a time, I was curious to see what my work would be like without clients directing me, so I took a year sabbatical in Paris, and focused on photography. During my year away, I realized I wanted to become a full-time artist, and returned to San Francisco to pursue painting and sculpture. In my fine art, I explore abstract themes in nature and science, and love to create new techniques and experiment with all kinds of media. I’ve been represented by galleries in Los Angeles and New York, and have shown internationally, as well. My love of the natural world led me to design a product, ReTree – a modern, reusable holiday tree made of wood (just like a real tree!). ReTrees are sold at design-led stores – among them, SFMOMA Museum Store and Heath Ceramics – and online. 

Connecting to my creativity has opened my life in immeasurable ways and is an ongoing adventure. I continue to work with new materials and themes, and am drawn to working in bright, vibrant colors. I’m also teaching. I love sharing my knowledge of creating with people who are already comfortable exploring their creative side, and to those who aren’t…yet! At Spark Studio, I offer classes in art and crafts, and also offer BYO Project sessions – Crafternoons and Crafterwork – where people can come together to create art and community in my San Francisco studio. Come check it out! www.sparkstudiosf.com

I do interior design, as well. To see an article in The San Francisco Chronicle about me and my home I renovated, click here.