Ever since I was small there has always been a pencil in my hand.  When I was not roaming the London parks and collecting feathers, animal skulls and the shells of hatched nestlings, I was trying to draw them in a childish way – reading myths and legends by torchlight under the bedclothes at night, and trying to draw unicorns, dryads and dragons by day –

Unfortunately these leanings were not encouraged, and my career proceeded along rather prosaic lines, leaving only spare time for me to draw for my own pleasure, until an illness in 1990 led me to leave full-time employment.  I attended Adult Education painting classes, life drawing classes, botanical art courses etc., and studied lots of books on drawing and painting.  I worked furiously on my art every day, constantly practising and learning.

I began to exhibit, and my work began to sell.  In 1996 I won Best Amateur prize in a national competition, and then art became my new career. I was invited to teach by Adult Education, and studied to gain a City and Guilds qualification in teaching adults.  Prior to my recent move to Scotland, I ran four drawing and painting classes a week, plus occasional one day and weekend courses.

I work work mainly in graphite, watercolour and colour pencil, and experiment with other media such as oil pastels.  I love the accuracy and fine detail of the pencils, and the transparency and unpredictability of watercolour, and find these media perfect for painting the natural world. 

I often use natural materials in my paintings, such as leaves, feathers or shells, and these react with the paint to produce unexpected and exciting effects.  I am always experimenting with my favourite media, pushing them to the limits to explore new horizons.

In 2001 I joined with other artists who love the coloured pencil medium to found the UK Coloured Pencil Society, and I am currently the Editor of their quarterly newsletter.  I am a member of the Wildlife Art Society, and have exhibited nationally with them.

In November 2002 I moved from Northampton to Angus in Scotland, and live in a lovely cottage between the mountains and the sea, with my husband David and my dogs Shula and Milo.

Lesley will be will be teaching a weekend course entitled "Creative Coloured Pencils"
at Knuston Hall, Northants on 18th-20th July 2003, followed immediately by a summer
school on 20th-25th July 2003. Why not take a break in the idyllic country house venue,
or even make a week's holiday of it! For details telephone Knuston Hall on 01933 - 312104 

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