Lea Carmichael was born in New York City and grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. She lives in Irvington, NY. She attended Vassar College, Kansas City Art Institute, and graduated with a B.A. from Hampshire College. She has also studied at Parsons and The Art Students' League.

Lea loves to draw, and works in many media, including pastel, paint, and photography. She has enjoyed many years painting sets for community shows at Irvington's Town Hall Theater. She has had shows at the Martucci Gallery and the River Gallery in Irvington, the Donald Gallery in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and at Hampshire College. Her studio is in Dobbs Ferry, and every April she participates in the RiverArts Studio Tour.

She has illustrated several books, including The Literary Garden, Edited by Duncan Brine, and The Wild Game and Fish Cookbook, by Jim Bryant. She also does graphic work for arts organizations.

Her website is Leacarmichael.com