About the Artist
Leslie Fernandez was born in upstate New York . Having grown up with her grandparents in close proximity she developed a love of nature and art. Throughout her life, Leslie has always been fascinated by paintings and how the artist chooses to represent the world around us. During her teenage years her interest in art further developed and she received a Bacherlor’s Degree in Fine Art from Pratt Institute.
Relationships, dreams and loss are several of the underlying themes Leslie Fernandez explores in her personal narratives. By using familiar objects and scenes, she explores the complexity of emotions in these themes. She also discovered the wonderful mysterious nature of twilight and night and it’s emotional and psychological effect on people. She wants the viewer to look at her paintings and begin to wonder whether they see a dream or reality.
Leslie has also trained as a teacher, specializing in Art Education. She teaches 14-18-year-olds in order to foster a lifelong love of art and inspire them to see like artists. She also received a Master’s Degree in Art Education from Central Connecticut State University. Leslie lives and works in Connecticut surrounded by her family, pets, nature and endless sunrises and sunsets.
Statement
Relationships, dreams and loss are several of the underlying themes I explore in my personal narratives. By using familiar objects and scenes, I explore the complexity of emotions that we may associate with these places and things. I use natural fauna and flora and familiar objects as symbols to express emotions like loss and grief, nostalgia and the ever present idea of the impermanence of life. These images may be a part of my personal experiences but relate to our shared experience as humans. I use the clothing or furniture, like beds and chairs, of loved ones to express these emotions. The natural surroundings where they might be are used to express the fleetingness of life. Our lives are connected to the landscape whether we realize it or not. Objects are wrapped around something that is aged or dead to express the idea that life goes on even after we are gone. We become one with the world yet again. My goal is that all people take from my work the idea of the shared emotions based on their own feelings, experiences and ideas through their own interpretation.
Education
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT Master of Science in Art Education: May 2003
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT Graduate Certification Program: Spring 1996
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing: May 1990
Teaching Experience
Bristol Central High School, Bristol, CT 1997-present Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury, CT 1996-1997 East Hartford Middle School, East Hartford, CT Student Teacher: Art March-May 1996 Ellen P. Hubbell Elementary School, Bristol, CT Greene-Hills Elementary School, Forestville, Ct Student Teacher: Art grades 1-4: January-March 1996
Group Exhibitions
2024 Uncommon Threads, Farmington Valley Arts Center, Farmington, CT
2024 Small Works, West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, CT