Tied By The Sea™ blends rope, bikes, and raw emotion in a fine art photography spotlight
April 2025, Portland, Oregon. Nonstop drizzle. But the rain couldn’t dampen the excitement of Tied By The Sea™ duo, Grace Henke and Lieven Leroy.
The two artists behind Tied By The Sea, an ever-evolving collaboration exploring vulnerability, strength, and self-expression through rope and fine art photography, were about to bring a wild new idea to life.
Inspiration Strikes
It began when Grace was on a Thanksgiving road trip. A magazine on the shelf caught her eye: bold lettering, photos of beautiful models posing with gritty motorcycles…
She texted Lieven immediately, “Today I discovered a magazine called Easyriders… I want to shoot with a bike. With rope, of course!”
Who’s going to say no to that?
There’s a rich history of motorcycles in photography. They are icons of Americana, of rebellion and strength.
True art begins when you take a wild idea and dare to make it real!
Fast forward to the day of the shoot. Grace and Lieven are standing in front of Westedge Cycle in Portland. Dream in motion.
Their crew of six gets to work, scouting the location inside the shop, planning angles, selecting bikes, positioning them, testing lighting, setting up the rig. What they thought would be a three-hour shoot turned into a nine-hour adventure ride!
Whether it was a bold solo pose on the slick Harley-Davidson Night Rod, a getaway moment on the Sportster, a confident bike shop muse atop the Harley-Davidson Road King in deep blue flame, or the final partial suspension on a Triumph Scrambler, each setup brought a distinct energy. It was a full-blown creative ride.
Photo Courtesy of Tied By The Sea™
“We want to create moments of connection,” says Lieven of the duo’s work. “Not just with a partner, but also with oneself. We shoot clean photographs with minimal editing and solid ropework. Images of what actually happened, not airbrushed or overly manipulated in post. We know collectors are looking for work that’s real, grounded, and lets them feel the moment that was captured. That’s exactly what we offer.”
A Bold Fusion
This shoot was a heady mix: rope art, motorcycles, an industrial backdrop, and photography. A combination you don’t see every day. The results? Something striking you’ll want to display on your wall!
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Tied By The Sea’s work has already been featured in fine art galleries across California and Arizona, garnering acclaim not only for its bold visuals but also for the deep emotional layers that invite viewers to connect and reflect on their own stories.
Special Thanks
Tied By The Sea extends sincere gratitude to those who supported the shoot: Rob Westergard, owner of Westedge Cycle, for welcoming the team to his shop, sharing his incredible motorcycles, and assisting with the setups; Seattle-based rope artist Joe K for his collaboration and for connecting us with the shoot location; Portland-based rope artist and performer Joshua Douglass for his creative and expert rigging support; and aerial performer Liza M for her valuable assistance during the shoot. Their combined efforts were essential in bringing this bold vision to life.
Photo Courtesy of Tied By The Sea™
What’s Next
Tied By The Sea is gearing up for their first major art fair in September 2025. It’s a chance to connect with an audience that shares their passion for art and authenticity.
“We’re so excited to show our work at such a vibrant, meaningful event,” Grace said. “This is a chance to share what we’ve been building with people who appreciate not just rope-based fine art photography, but also the strength it represents and the way it makes them feel!”
Looking ahead, Tied By The Sea™ is all in. They will continue to grow, challenge expectations, and deliver unforgettable work. You can see their latest pieces and sign up for their newsletter for behind-the-scenes updates at on TiedByTheSea.com, and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.