Leah Yip Ying: Painting the Soul of the Caribbean

The canvas is Leah Yip Ying’s window to the world, and she’s inviting you to witness its beauty, through her eyes. At just 23, this self-taught artist’s paintings have crossed oceans to Germany, the US, and Canada—a dream come true. “I’m really blessed that my art is being seen worldwide,” she says, proudly.
Leah’s style is vivid and strikingly realistic. Her deft use of light and shadow infuses each piece with vibrant energy and bold contrast. For her, the magic lies in the process. Witnessing her imagination take on a life of its own on canvas is “really amazing”, she says, “being able to imagine and envision something, then put pen to paper and have it there physically”.
But it’s not always smooth sailing.
“Admittedly, sometimes they don’t end up how I would’ve pictured it and I question my entire existence,” she laughs.
This transformative act of creation is “almost addictive”, fueling her drive to evolve. “It only makes me want to do better and keep improving.”
While she paints a variety of subjects, fans of Leah’s work know that landscapes are her favourite. Their tranquility offers a calm she believes “is much needed in these times”. Whether hiking, vacationing in Tobago, or cruising back from the beach, Leah finds creative fuel in the unique beauty of Trinidad and Tobago. “There’s something enchanting in the everyday sights here that I feel compelled to capture and share through my work.”
Her most beloved pieces of art spotlight iconic local scenes like the winding waterways of the Caroni Swamp and the picturesque Queen’s Park Savannah—places that hold both cultural and emotional significance. “
“I think I’ve painted it more than any other place in Trinidad,” she says of the Caroni Swamp, chuckling, “to the point where I think my mother is fed up with the Caroni Swamp!”
A year and a half after graduating from St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph in 2018, Leah took a bold leap, pursuing art full-time. Rejecting the “starving artist” stereotype, she carved out a sustainable path. Now, she regularly sells three to five pieces a month, often through commissions, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 based on size and intricacy. She has also participated in three joint art gallery exhibitions that have helped her grow her clientele. “It’s a career that demands passion, persistence, and trust in your creative vision—but it’s absolutely worth it and I’m happy I get to do what I love,” says Leah, “I never had another job. Art was always it.”


Leah’s artistic journey began in childhood, nurtured by a family immersed in creativity. “They have always been supportive of me creating and expressing myself through art, since they themselves are very creative, talented people.”
Their encouragement was unwavering, even when her early works were, in her words, laughable. “With each piece that I showed them they made me feel so uplifted … although, as I look back at some of the work in the early stages, I wonder how they didn’t just crack up laughing,” she says with a grin.
“But in all honesty, their positive responses were essential in lighting that fire that I have for art, and helping me to get better over the years.”
Her creative rhythm is a balance of instinct and structure. From her Chaguanas home studio, she sketches from references, then carefully layers paint on canvas, often sparked by a photo, a place she’s visited, or a fleeting moment that captures her eye.
“It’s instinct in knowing what to paint next,” she explains, “and I take my time to make sure each piece captures not just the scene, but the feeling behind it.”
Most of Leah’s pieces take three to ten days to complete, each stroke a step toward breathing life into her vision. As she refines her voice as an artist, her ambitions grow. She now hopes to share her art with wider audiences through international exhibitions.
“It’s not just about exposure—it’s about sharing the stories and spirit of the Caribbean through my art, and inviting others into the world that inspires me every day.”
(Source:  Daily Express, June 14, 2025).