LESLIE LEE
About Leslie
Paintings
Daily Painting Blog
Giclee Prints
Note Cards
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Clay Retrospective
Publications
Paintings
Daily Painting Blog
Giclee Prints
Note Cards
Workshops
Clay Retrospective
Publications
Leslie Lee has declared herself an Artist since she was a child. Though born in Eastern Oregon’s wheat ranch country she was raised in Portland, Oregon and returned there after earning a Bachelor of Fine Art at Washington University in St. Louis Missouri. She worked as a graphic designer in Portland for over twelve years, with a half-year stint in Teheran, Iran. Read more
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Artist's Statement
Twenty- some years ago, when I decided to cease being a graphic designer and focus only on ceramic art, I was astounded by what that commitment brought me. I’ve enjoyed a sustaining career as a sculptor, but in the last couple of years I’ve detoured into painting enough to realize I needed to choose and commit once again. I’ve chosen to paint, and again I am surprised at what a single focus can yield.
I have always been most satisfied with making art that carries a meaning beneath its aesthetic appeal, and I found I was no longer able to find in clay the freedom of expression painting gives me. Clay offered a sensuality that is important to my work and I brought an interest in painting and printmaking to its surfaces, but clay does not allow for shadowy figures, dizzying heights, atmospheric vistas or ephemeral blooms – unless they are painted on the surface, which I have found limiting.
Whatever the medium my aim is to draw the interest of the viewer with imagery which then invites, through metaphor, considerations of the individual, the family, society and the natural world. My art reflects my life. It is an opportunity to explore issues as elusive as personal challenges, death, or politics, or to simply try to capture a piece of beauty that touches me. I do not re-work images from outside sources, though I do make use of my digital camera (“Dennis, could you take a picture of my hand holding this?”) and the internet (what does a swan in flight look like?).
Admirers of my sculpture inquire, “Have you given up clay forever?” All I can respond is that “forever”, “never” and “give up” are words I rarely use – so we will just have to wait and see. I have joked that painting is my retirement plan, but I’d like this to prove true since I am not getting any younger and the clay’s not getting any lighter. Only the focus will tell me. Focus and time.
Leslie Lee- June 2005
Resume
Watch Leslie's OPB "ArtBeat" Video
Artist's Statement
Twenty- some years ago, when I decided to cease being a graphic designer and focus only on ceramic art, I was astounded by what that commitment brought me. I’ve enjoyed a sustaining career as a sculptor, but in the last couple of years I’ve detoured into painting enough to realize I needed to choose and commit once again. I’ve chosen to paint, and again I am surprised at what a single focus can yield.
I have always been most satisfied with making art that carries a meaning beneath its aesthetic appeal, and I found I was no longer able to find in clay the freedom of expression painting gives me. Clay offered a sensuality that is important to my work and I brought an interest in painting and printmaking to its surfaces, but clay does not allow for shadowy figures, dizzying heights, atmospheric vistas or ephemeral blooms – unless they are painted on the surface, which I have found limiting.
Whatever the medium my aim is to draw the interest of the viewer with imagery which then invites, through metaphor, considerations of the individual, the family, society and the natural world. My art reflects my life. It is an opportunity to explore issues as elusive as personal challenges, death, or politics, or to simply try to capture a piece of beauty that touches me. I do not re-work images from outside sources, though I do make use of my digital camera (“Dennis, could you take a picture of my hand holding this?”) and the internet (what does a swan in flight look like?).
Admirers of my sculpture inquire, “Have you given up clay forever?” All I can respond is that “forever”, “never” and “give up” are words I rarely use – so we will just have to wait and see. I have joked that painting is my retirement plan, but I’d like this to prove true since I am not getting any younger and the clay’s not getting any lighter. Only the focus will tell me. Focus and time.
Leslie Lee- June 2005
