Artist's Statement

The only consistency in my art is the lack of predictability – subject, style and even medium evolve and change depending on my mood and inspiration.

I draw and paint what captures my attention and motivates me. You will find the things I love reflected in my art; birds indigenous to Canada, discarded or abandoned artifacts like old wells, broken wagon wheels or tumbled down barns, people's faces that tell a story, or the whimsical images straight out of my imagination.

I find the colours and shapes of fused glass riveting and the application of art skills developed over the past 30 years gives me a great sense of freedom and creativity.

Detailed precision and the use of light and shadow are signatures of my work.

Biography

I have been working, learning and studying as an artist since the mid-1970's when a pottery class that started as a hobby quickly turned into an in-depth interest in art.

Although I was working full-time as a Registered Nurse, I left nursing to open my own pottery and ceramic supply business. Along with teaching classes two and three times a week, I also attended the Ottawa School of Art on a weekly basis.

It was at the Ottawa School of Art that I met a wonderful teacher, Gordon Doyle, who encouraged me to return to school and study art full-time. I completed the two-year High School of Commerce Art program in my late 30's with Honours and then entered the Algonquin College Graphic Design program in Ottawa , graduating in 1985 with Honours.

In 1992, I returned to nursing full-time at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, while continuing to accept commissioned works and drawing, painting and studying art. Since retiring in 2004, I have been able to, once again, concentrate solely on my artwork and explore exciting new mediums like stain glass, pastels and watercolours while continuing my signature work in fine pencil.

Leslie Cross lives in Renfrew, Ontario with her husband of 41 years. She's a mother of four and grandmother of nine.