Lake Louise Moonrise

Sunset on the Bitterroot

Artist Statement

Leslie finds the pleasure of seeing, expressing, discovering and interacting with observations.

I grew up in Montana, where the harsh and the beautiful elements intertwine and helped to shape her artistic expression.

Earning a BFA in Art and Art Education from the U of M, (MT) teaching art in several Montana schools. Teaching at an Indian alternative school on the Flathead Reservation, where they were often joined by the Indian Elders who taught native crafts. The curriculum there was based upon individualized instruction and greatly influenced my teaching approach from then on. In all her teaching positions she encouraged each student to discover their own individual path of creative expression.

Leslie’s own "path of discovery" led her to work for many years as a Custom Portrait Artist, preceded by many years of commercial design work. Her designs graced diverse products, including limited edition prints and notecards, that were published and distributed throughout the Northwest. My artwork was on a "path of production". Creative discovery and self expression had to take a backseat, while creating on demand honed her technical skills.