ABOUT THE ARTIST: Leslie Chambers

ARTIST BIO

I have been involved with the arts  since my childhood. I always enjoyed watercolor and sculpting. I wrote poetry and illustrated the poems. I won awards at an early age for my illustrations of “The Rainforest” and “Save the Trees”.

I attended Ohio University as a painting major in college and switched to ceramics at the suggestion of friend. I fell in love with the amazing qualities of clay and my ability to do sculptural forms. Clay allowed me to combine my painting techniques with functional art.

I learned the techniques of wheel throwing, mixing clay, glaze formulation, firing techniques and the excitement of Raku firing! I experimented with development of colors, sculptural forms, and textures.   During that period I also studied sculpture with nationally renowned wood sculptor, David Hostetler, who showed me how to create movement with expressive forms and shapes and how to detail fine sculptures.

During the 80’s I moved to San Francisco and studied with Janet Lohr at San Francisco City College. I developed stronger painting and glazing techniques which helped me to launch my art career in Berkeley. I met Susan Adamé and joined Adamé Ceramics Studio and Gallery in the mid 80’s. Here I developed quality functional forms and glazes. This gallery offered great connections with other artists from around the globe who would come to lecture and teach at UC Berkeley. I developed and experimented with many different techniques from airbrushing pots to pointillism aborigine style and porcelain sculpture.

In 2005 I took a trip to Barcelona, Spain where I was inspired by the works of Gaudi, Picasso, Dali, and the Museum de Ceramiqué. I began a fusion of sculpture and functional wares.

I currently live in the Sierra Foothills where my new work is inspired by the nature around me. The new work is an expression of the harmony of nature, in fluid yet functional forms with painterly movement of lines, colors, and glazes. Depictions of Sierra foothill flora and fauna found on walks as well as animals such as river otters, egrets, fish, turtles, bears, dragonflies, and monarchs are some of my themes. The new series includes covered jars with life-like detailed sculptures.

Like life, the clay always has something new to show!