Category Archives: News

Art Collector’s Focus on Portraiture

“Or Ask If It All Be Right”
oil on copper

My work was chosen to be included in a Collector’s Focus article on Portrait Art in the August 2020 Edition of American Art Collector. Here is a quote they used to accompany 3 of my paintings:

“I feel compelled to use my understanding of anatomy and the application of paint to create a window on the quiet strength, resilience and beauty of women. And, of course, my love of costumes, jewelry and accessories gets to come out and play too. I enjoy inhabiting the world I create in my paintings.”

Making Art During Quarantine

Like many artists, I work alone. And when I paint or draw, I’m in my own world – or the world of the painting anyway. So being in lockdown at home during the first days of the pandemic was not hugely different. I moved my essentials from the studio I had been using in a commercial building to the living room of the small house I share with my husband and the two dogs -and just kept on working in this new “studio.” It’s what I do everyday and the routine helped me cope.

I discovered how much I love drawing with silverpoint. Often my drawings are studies or references for a painting. But the silverpoints are just sweet little drawings: ghostly, intimate, emotional. They are less physical than a big painting. I treasure the slowness of the process and the quiet beauty of the medium. Working on the silverpoint drawings definitely helped with the initial part of the lockdown.

Silverpoint on toned paper

I like the fine metal tools and handling them. The way the deposited metal changes color over time feels very magical.

My joy with silverpoint has prompted me to research the history of the medium. Many of my favorite artists have used it.

My painting process lately has involved more planning and studies before I start a big painting. That structured approach is comforting also.

The pandemic has naturally brought a desire in me to incorporate more magic, escape and even defense in the work. I’m adding some animals to the figure in the current painting (more on that later). The special animals always bring a power into the piece and change how the figure is perceived.

I’m grateful to have art as a calling and can continue to work during these challenging times.

ART::TALK with Linda Leslie and John Witham

Romantic Narrative: the Contemporary Art of Linda Leslie

Join us in this video for an evening of art talk with painter Linda Leslie and writer & filmmaker John Witham on the debut of their uniquely collaborative book “Romantic Narrative: The Contemporary Art of Linda Leslie.”

The conversation with these collaborators will be facilitated by Lisa Simon, co-owner of Radius Gallery, where Linda’s work can be seen.
You can take an early peek at “Romantic Narrative” at both Fact & Fiction and Radius Gallery.

Summary of Book

romantic-narrative

Cover of book about Linda Leslie by John Witham

Romantic Narrative: The Contemporary Art of Linda Leslie follows Missoula artist Linda Leslie’s 40-year progress in developing her technique, motifs and distinctive style of painting. Her approach to realism is fluid, intuitive and thought provoking, resulting in works that are enigmatic and contemplative.

Written by husband and creative collaborator, award-winning filmmaker John Witham, this book provides a context for the images of Leslie’s original art by tracing her background, thematic elements and landmarks in her work and life.

This artistic, entrepreneurial couple now live and work in Missoula.

Romantic Narrative-a Book About My Life and Art

February 2018 – Fans and collectors of Linda Leslie’s art have been excited to learn that ROMANTIC NARRATIVE – the Contemporary Art of Linda Leslie has been published by Art Guild Press. This book provides a context for her work by tracing her background, thematic elements and landmarks in her work and life.

People new to Leslie’s body of work also find ROMANTIC NARRATIVE compelling in that it includes a comprehensive collection of 128 images of original art spanning 40 years of her career as an artist. The reader can follow Leslie’s progress at developing her technique, motifs and a distinctive style in paintings which suggest a sensual, moody story that is never made completely explicit, but which the viewer senses is present in the otherwise graceful, quiet figures and landscapes.

ROMANTIC NARRATIVE was written and designed by John Witham, with contributions by Linda Leslie, Scott MacLaren, Lisa Simon, Ph.D. and Bradley Weaver. The exceptionally fine color separations and pre-press production is by Robert Erlichman, of Art Guild Press.

The 11 x 11 inch format features a hard cover with scuff-free matte laminate, foil stamped, embossed and spot UV coated. It’s 155 pages are printed on 100# Phoenixmotion Xantur Text. This paper is beautiful as the foundation for these representations of Leslie’s work.

ROMANTIC NARRATIVE – the Contemporary Art of Linda Leslie (ISBN: 978-0-9887791-7-4) is initially being released in the US exclusively through independent bookstores and galleries. Please see the list below for specific outlets, and check back as more are added.

In Missoula, MT – it is available at Radius Gallery, 114 E Main (406) 541-7070; Fact & Fiction, 220 Higgins (406) 721-2881; Shakespeare & Co.,103 S. 3rd St. West (406) 549-9010.

In Santa Fe, NM – at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo St. (505) 988-4226

In New Orleans,LA – at M Contemporary, 906 Royal ST (504) 523-2022

We will be adding more outlets eventually. Until then, if you are interested in the book please contact one of the outlets above.

New Beginnings and a Newsletter

So many wonderful things are happening with my artwork lately that I’ve decided to start sharing my news through an e-newsletter.

You can sign up here

Perhaps the most exciting announcement this month is that, since moving to Missoula, I have officially joined the Radius Gallery’s roster of represented artists. My work has been an exhibition of figurative artshowing in Missoula for a few months, and Radius will be carrying my work on a regular basis going forward. Right now I’m getting seven paintings ready for a show there called “Object, Manner, Means: The Art of Representation.”

 

If you are near Western Montana, I hope you’ll be able to visit the gallery for the Opening Reception on Friday, May 26, from 4 PM to 7 PM. The exhibit will run through July 1 at 114 E Main St, Missoula, MT 59802.

For more info, visit the Radius Gallery website