Leslie Rock
Biography & Resume: Website: leslierock.com Email: [email protected]
In 2005, with my children growing older, I found myself with extra time, and so I embarked upon my third career.
Coming from a background in engineering and motherhood, art was a fresh and irresistible calling that I threw myself
into wholeheartedly. I took my first painting class, open to wherever it would take me. Before I knew it, my life was
transformed. Since then I have been working, playing, studying, experimenting and solidifying my identity as an artist.
Oils are my first love, but I do dabble in mixed media and acrylics. I work primarily on canvas, though I have
experimented with wood and paper as well. I prefer medium and large sized surfaces since they give me an opportunity
to paint freely and loosely. Neal Donald Walsh’s quote, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” has inspired my
artistic growth from the moment I heard it. With these words always in mind, I set goal after goal for myself. I am
constantly evolving as an artist, and these goals ensure that I never stagnate.
The figure is my source of inspiration; no matter how much I deviate from the figure I cannot help but return. Being
connected to my subject in some way, whether by acquaintance or memory, is very important to me and brings vitality
to my work. The emotion I feel when I am painting is also critical to the outcome. My works reflect my state of mind,
good and bad and everything in between. My current method of paint application has created rich pieces with many
layers, making each one a thrill to view. Each one of these pieces is unique and cannot be recreated, given the looseness
of my application and the emotions that drive it. I believe this is an interesting "turn in the road" for me, but, as always, I
remind myself that I need to keep pushing that comfort zone, no matter how big it grows or how much I grow to love it.
2020 Rancho Relaxo, Permanent Exhibition, Rancho Mirage, CA
2018 Tim Collom Gallery, Go Figure, Group Show, Sacramento, CA
2018 Inside Online Magazine, July Cover Artwork, Sacramento, CA
2018 Cleveland Magazine, July 2018 Edition
2018 Jerry’s Artarama 6th Annual Self-Portrait Competition, International, Honorable Mention
2017 NUMU New Museum Los Gatos, Greater Bay Area Open, Juried Competition, Los Gatos, CA
2016 2017 Gallery 24, Los Gatos, CA
2015 University Art Open, Juried Show, Menlo Park CA, First Place
2015 The Ripples, The Ripples, CD Cover Artwork, Washington DC
2015 Venteux Vineyards, Corporate Commission, Templeton CA
2014 O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Juried Show-Bay Area Women Artists, Mill Valley, CA
2014 Pacific Art League, Juried Show, Palo Alto CA, Cover Artwork, Honorable Mention
2013 The Triton Museum, Statewide Juried Competition, Santa Clara CA
2013 The Ripples, The First Few, CD Cover Artwork, Washington DC
2013 University Art Open, Juried Show, San Jose CA, Best of Show
2013 Silicon Valley Open Studio, San Francisco Bay Area
2012 Silicon Valley Open Studio, San Francisco Bay Area
2012 The Butter Paddle, Group Show, Saratoga CA
2012 University Art Open, Juried Show, San Jose CA
2012 Silicon Valley Artists Collaborative, Momentum Leap, Group Show, Art Object Gallery, San Jose CA
2011 The Artist Magazine, All Media Art Competition, 1st Prize, National
2011 Venteux Vineyards, Corporate Commission, Templeton CA
