The Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) is an exciting opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with the creative community, and establish an online presence—all on a free, virtual platform! The OAR encourages artists working in all art forms, throughout Ohio and beyond, to create a profile, which allows them to better promote themselves and their work. Being listed in the OAR provides artists with new opportunities to share their work with clients, galleries, patrons, and audiences. A listing in the OAR does not confer an endorsement, approval, or verification by the Ohio Arts Council.
For more information, contact Kathy Signorino, artist programs director, at kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov or 614-728-6140.
2024 Ohio Artist Registry Juried Exhibition
James Leslie
Visual Artist JW Leslie Fine ArtsAkron OH 44313 United StatesHome OH 44313 United States Home Phone: 330-389-9451 Birthday: August 26, 1957
Bio
James Leslie began his artistic journey growing-up along the Connecticut River Valley outside the city of Hartford. The fertile farmlands of livestock, tobacco, and corn in the lower valleys to the fruit orchards of the higher hills inspired him to create. His desire to capture and express how nature made him feel would become a life-long passion. Fueled by early exposure to French Impressionism and American Landscape Painting, he began to express the rural images of his hometown through painting. Intrigued by light and color, he sets out to create two-dimensional works that reflect the natural phenomenon not only discovered in Connecticut, but traveling the country, the world, and Northeast Ohio where he now resides.
An early career in the art of stone masonry allowed him to understand the concepts of design, construction, and accomplishment. In 1992 he moved to Colorado and fell in love with the light, color, and atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains. He pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and ceramics at Colorado State University and on to The Ohio State University beginning a career on the gallery and art show circuit. He furthered his studies at Kent State University, earning a Master of Fine Arts. He continues travel for inspiration and creates daily on location or from his studio in Northeast Ohio.
Artist Statement
As a young boy I spent my summer days hiking through the woods, visiting the local swimming holes, family trips to the ocean, taking in the beauty of the land. My painting seeks to capture those care-free days capturing the ever-changing light. Here in Northeast Ohio, across the country, or abroad, I have always been mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of color, light and atmosphere within the element of trees, sky, mountains, and water. Oil paint on canvas has been my vehicle to capture this joy and beauty each day. I love the feel and smell of oil paint applied to canvas and am intrigued by the never-ending possibilities to capture the beauty before my eyes. A beauty that still sparkles from the days of my youth.
