Contact
Patricia Leslie
Richmond, CA
(510) 527-3273
Patricia Leslie
I am an animal portrait artist. I include the term "portrait" in my self-description, because I see every animal as a unique individual, with a personality which shows in his or her face and expressions. I find animals endlessly enjoyable to study in detail, and to reproduce artistically. While my personal history is deeply bound up with dogs, my feeling of kinship with the entire animal kingdom is the driving force behind the development of my style and thematic choices. My goal is for each portrait to communicate each being's unique individuality, and innately spiritual nature.
My style is realistic, though not as detailed as photo-realism. Because I have been fascinated throughout my life by the beautiful faces of animals, I always allow the facial expression to dominate both mood and composition, and the majority of my portraits are tightly focused on "head and shoulders" views, so that the expression in the eyes dominates the piece. My style ... > Read morealso incorporates an imaginative setting or backdrop which reflects my intuitive sense of the individual animal's personality. It might be an impression of greenery or sky, of drapery or cushions, of beach or hills.
The majority of my work is done on commission, for people who want a special portrait of one or more special animals in their lives. I work in watercolor, ink, or black ink combined with watercolor. My ink drawings can be in a single color (usually black or sepia), or full color. Watercolors are always rendered in full, true-to-life coloring.
Since animals will not sit still for the time it takes to create a detailed piece, I always work from one or more photographs. For nearby commissions, I can travel to the client's home to take photographs, for a modest fee. For memorial portraits, or clients outside the Bay Area, it is necessary to have an existing clear image which shows off the face and eyes, and provides accurate coat or feather color information. Photos may be transmitted by email for long-distance commissions.
My rates always include mounting and matting. High quality, acid-free matboard. Beveled cuts. Starting price range, single animal:
35-81 sq" (5x7-9x9) $150- $250
90-168 sq" (9x10-12x14) $200-$400
182-324 sq" (13x14-18x18) $350- $800
342-528 sq" (18x19-22x24) $600-$1200
(complex backgrounds or multiple animals will run higher)
ALSO PLEASE NOTE: I will be taking a sabbatical from art, including from taking new commissions, throughout 2011. This is because I want to focus myself more fully on writing novels. Watch this site for an announcement when my first book goes to print, and a link to a separate page which will have a lot more information about my novels. In the meantime, my art cards will continue to be available at RabbitEARS Pet Supply, 7523 Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito, CA. I am also starting to make some of my art available on T-shirts and canvas bags, online at Cafe Press.
Styles: Pen & Ink, Portraiture, Watercolor
Click the links below to view
Moose, the Lop Eared Bunny
Moose, the Lop Eared Bunny
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Description
Colored inks. 2008. Collection of Helen Gonzalez. This bunny was rescued and adopted out of RabbitEARS Pet Supply in Kensington. The proprietor commissioned this portrait to be used on a label for a "chocolate bunny" product that will be on sale at the shop starting March 15, 2009.
Pullman: Whistle Stop
Pullman: Whistle Stop
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Description
Watercolor. 2007. Collection of Marilynn Hanson.
Cat's Eyes
Cat's Eyes
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Description
Colored inks. 2007. Currently available for purchase. Contact artist directly. $250.
Hogan
Hogan
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Description
Watercolor. 2007. Commissioned work. Collection of Laurie Bustamante. "I can't thank you enough . . . the painting captures him perfectly." (L.B.)
Jodie
Jodie
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Description
Watercolor. 2007. Collection of Rafael and Toni Favila. Left panel of a diptych, "Jodie and Dusty: Day and Night."
Dusty
Dusty
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Description
Watercolor. 2007. Collection of Rafael and Toni Favila. Right panel of diptych "Jodie and Dusty: Day and Night."
Bun-Bun
Bun-Bun
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Description
Colored inks. 2007. Commissioned work. Collection of Margaret Maurin. "The likeness is remarkable, and you deftly captured the knowing and mischievous glint in her eye." (M.M.)
Ode to Joy II
Ode to Joy II
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Description
Mixed media: India ink and watercolor. 2008. Third place award, El Cerrito Art Ass'n annual show. NFS. I photographed this sweet little guy when he was a foster dog with a rescue group -- Hopalong Rescue, I believe -- in 2007. I hope he is now spreading his joy around in a loving adoptive home.
Star: Heart and Soul
Star: Heart and Soul
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Description
Watercolor. 2008. Collection of E. Lockwood. Exhibited at El Cerrito Art Association show, 2008. Merchant's Award.
Jack the Dog
Jack the Dog
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Description
Colored inks. 2008. Collection of Victor and Ann Hutchings.
Snail: Worthy of Notice
Snail: Worthy of Notice
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Description
Watercolor. 2008. $900. I like garden snails. I find them aesthetically pleasing, gentle, and curious about their surroundings. They feel pain and pleasure like other creatures, so they don't deserve to be stomped or poisoned.
Rudi: A Dog for All Seasons/Spring
Rudi: A Dog for All Seasons/Spring
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Description
Watercolor. 2008. Left panel of a diptych. Commissioned work; collection of Ruth Hylton.
Rudi: A Dog for All Seasons/Autumn
Rudi: A Dog for All Seasons/Autumn
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Description
Watercolor. 2008. This is the right panel of a diptych. Commissioned work. Collection of Ruth Hylton.
Scarlet Macaw
Two Horses
Two Horses
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Description
Mixed media: India ink and watercolor. 2009. $1350. One of these horses is the "sponsored" riding horse of a dear friend, Liz Fowler.
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Recent Work
- Richmond Art Ctr, Pro Arts Exhib'n 2010
- El Cerrito Art Assn 2009 Annual Show
- The Glenn, March 2009 Art Show
- RabbitEARS Pet Supply Kensington; solo
- M C Art Works, El Cerrito
- AC5 "Annual Art Show - Exclusive"
- The Glenn Gallery, 7027 Stockton Av, EC
- El Cerrito Art Assn 2008 Annual Show
- El Cerrito Art Assn 2007 Annual Show
- "Caring Hearts, Creative Hands" show
08/01/10 thru 09/29/10, on Every Day
Animals: Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Souls
Location: RabbitEARS Pet Supply
Time: 11:00 AM
A solo show of my animal portraits, at a store whi... More Details
Sun, 11/14/10
Pre-Holiday Party and Art Sale
Location: Leslie Gallery of Animal Art
Time: 12:00 PM
Get a jump on the gift-giving and card-sending sea... More Details
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