Leslie Toms

Color, light and luscious painterly brushstrokes have long characterized the works of California artist Leslie Toms.

Born in 1951 and raised in the quiet suburbs of Sacramento, her interest in art began at a very early age. This passion progressed through college degrees, a graphic design career, commissions, awards and exhibitions to a full-time pursuit of painting. She studied with and was influenced by some of America’s finest painters such as: Wolf Kahn, Joseph Raffael, Wayne Theibaud and Gregory Kondos, to name a few. In search of subject matter she often travels, working on location to complete studies which are later refined in the studio. Her work recalls influence from Impressionistic and Fauvist traditions as well as those of her native Northern California area. In Toms’ ongoing pursuit as a colorist, her subjects become more symbolic than real. Her deft use of materials with these compositions compels the view the share that spirit.