Monday 29 March 2010

My new etsy shop

I have finally opened up an etsy shop to show and sell my craftier pieces. I've loaded it with fabric applique hoops, using vintage and contemporary fabrics.

I hope they look stylish, but fun; artistic, but accessible. Take a look, and if you mention my blog, you can have a %10 discount on your first purchase! Look out for new and different items in the future. Thanks for stopping by...Leslie x

100 Journals Project, Alturnative, Kent

I came across this call out very late in the day, but managed to send a submission along. Unfortunately, I couldn't get to the event. I gather it was a tricky compilation to put together with Journals spread far and wide over the country. As some people didn't even get their designated journal, loose works were requested, that could be inserted into the journals on site. I'm glad to finally see some photos of the event, which you can see here  http://alturnertive.com/100JournalsProject.aspx

My submissions came from a concept I'd had on the back burner for some time. I've always been aghast at the super skinny model phenomenon (though I was a great fan of Twiggy in her time). I think it's gotten worse since then. I liked to compare them to stick insects, and thought it might be interesting to depict them as such. I noticed the latin name for the bugs was phantasmagoria, and when digging deeper into the meanings found I could conjure up a kind of poetic, but disturbing portrayal, through words and images, of the cult of fashion and skinniness. The following are the pieces I sent:

































Friday 19 March 2010

I will be exhibiting at Smile, a group exhibition at the Red Gate Gallery, London. My piece is the feature work!








Smile: an exhibition that brings back laughter


Exhibition Date 29.03.2010 | Author: Yara Tschallener | For More Information Call +44 (0)207 326 0993
Featuring works by:
Amy Russell ● Anna Siemaszko ● Ian Tatton ● Joe Townend & Toby Owen ● Juan Blanco ● Leslie Wilson-Rutterford ● Maia Schweizer ● Paul Vincett ● Roxane Grant ● Sibylla McGrigor ● Soheila Keyani ● Soraia Almeida ● Susie Lowe ● Wiracha Daochai ● Zannah Cooper ●Hanae Utamura
Private View: Friday 2nd of April 2010 - 6 pm to 1am 
(after Party with live music/DJ)
Red Gate Gallery, 209a Coldharbour Lane, London. SW9 8RU. UK
Exhibition runs from: Monday 29th of March – Thursday 8th of April 2010
Gallery Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 11am to 6.30 pm - Sat: 12.30 pm - 5.00 pm
Last day of Exhibition: Thursday 22nd of April: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm


The exhibition ‘Smile’ aims to act as a cultural antidote to the recent global depression, natural disasters and a general mood of despondency. Smiling is a universal act, yet there have not been many reasons to do so lately. In the greater scheme of things one often forgets the little moments in life that make us smile and thus happy.

‘Smile’ is a collaborative group show displaying works in various media including acrylic, oil, photography, new media and installation.This forthcoming exhibition aims to challenge people to step out of their busy consumer driven life styles to take a split second to ’stop and stare’ and to hold the moment and smile: here the true sense of smiling is in store not the ‘fake’ one so often dished out without meaning.

The art work shown portrays subtlety rather than shock value seen in recent mainstream exhibitions, the latter tending to alienate, rather than involve, the viewer.

Each artist participating in this show has their own way to express happiness and this exhibition demonstrates that no matter where one comes from, one can always find a reason to smile. With a feeling of anticipation, we hope that who ever visits ‘Smile’ will walk out with a smile, perpetuating a ‘feel good factor’; well, at least for a brief moment….