The Artist
Biography
Lesley is a landscape and floral painter, using palette knives and thick, luscious oil paint to capture a scene. She has developed a painterly style, working at speed to capture fleeting moments of light, weather or tide.
Lesley grew up in the Midlands, but deep down she has always felt an affinity with the countryside and the coast.
After graduating in Fine Art from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Lesley enjoyed a successful career as a Medical Artist, working in universities and hospitals in Birmingham and Edinburgh. During that time she won awards for her design work, and her illustrations featured in academic books and journals, including the world-famous Gray’s Anatomy.
Lesley continued to paint when time allowed, and now follows a second career as a painter full time. Settled in Scotland, she finds endless inspiration in her surroundings, including her own walled garden in Edinburgh, a stone’s throw from the sea.
Artist's Statement
I am happiest immersed in the countryside, nestled beneath a tree or at the water's edge, painting 'en plein air' directly from nature. I paint to share this experience - the warmth of the sun, the breeze, the bird song or the splash of the burn. Occasionally I glimpse a kingfisher or an unsuspecting deer that has wandered too close.
Recently, I have also found solace in local gardens and parks, and rediscovered the delights of studying flora in all its variety and splendour.
Using small panels I work 'alla prima', swiftly applying one thick layer of oil paint. Palette knives allow me to drag and push the colours into each other and create rich pattern and texture.
Larger pictures are painted back in my studio in Edinburgh. Using the experience I have gained through painting outside, I endeavour to evoke the same memories and wonder that nature affords.
Watch Lesley painting here
Video kindly made by Craig James Moncur
Exhibitions
Alumni Exhibition, Aberystwyth University 2007
Solo Show - Broughton Gallery, The Borders 2008
Solo Show - Gladstone's Gallery, Edinburgh 2008
Number Four Gallery, St Abbs, Eyemouth 2009
Scottish Ornithologists' Club, Aberlady 2009
Solo Show - Dancing Light Gallery, West Linton 2012
Dancing Light Gallery, West Linton 2013
Green and Blues Gallery, North Berwick 2014
Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh 2014
Solo Show - Old School Gallery, Alnmouth 2015
The Concept Gallery, Glasgow 2015
RSA Open Exhibition 2016
Art in Granton, Granton Hub, Edinburgh 2017
Nak.Ed.Art Group, St Margaret’s House, Edinburgh 2019
Festival Show, Natami Gallery, Edinburgh 2019
Nak.Ed.Art Group, Edinburgh Ski Club 2019
Art in Granton, Granton Hub, Edinburgh 2019
East Linton Art Show 2020 (Prize winner)
Colonies Exhibition, Natami Gallery, Edinburgh 2020
St Columba’s Hospice Exhibition 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Florescence Exhibition at The Life Room, Edinburgh 2022
Macmillan Art Show 2022, 2023
Solo Show Gallery Q, Dundee 2023
Atelier Gallery, Edinburgh, Mixed Exhibitions 2023, 2024
Residences
St Abb's Head, National Trust, Scotland 2005
Wasps Studio, Scalloway, Shetland 2010
Current Exhibitions
Lesley was 'Featured Artist' at Gallery Q Dundee in Aug/Sept 2023. She currently has work in the Atelier Gallery, Edinburgh, Fotheringham Gallery in Bridge of Arran and Frames Gallery, Perth.