About Vicki Leslie
I took to producing textile art later in life, but I think there was always a creative side to me wanting to get out. Initially self-taught, I first produced pieces depicting some of my pets. They were ok, but a little rudimentary and lacked a lot of the finer detail.
I had long been an admirer of the work of textile artist Sophie Standing and jumped at the opportunity of attending a three-day course with her. That course changed everything for me and really developed me as a textile artist.
Artist and friend Trevor Hartley was also a great help to me. He taught me how to look in greater detail at the subject matter, - to discern the light and shade, and get movement in the piece.
I have now been creating pieces for about the last six years. It started as a hobby, but I then took to doing commissions for friends and family.
From there I started to build up a body of work and was asked to show in the Pilgrims Way Artists exhibition at the Lenham Tythe Barn. I have successfully shown there in 2021 and 2022, and at Under the Rainbow Exhibitions, Bluewater, in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023 I was chosen as a finalist in David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Artist of the Year with my piece “Going nowhere fast!”
I exhibited at the Rochester Art Fair in 2023 and 2024, and also at the Benenden Art Fair in 2024
My style is still developing, and I continue to experiment, with painted backgrounds and different subject matter.