21 Under 31: Young Artists to Watch in 2014

Utah

Leslie Duke, Heirloom, oil, 24 x 18.

Art Education: Bachelor of fine arts in illustration from Brigham Young University and apprenticeship with William Whitaker.

Style: Painterly, with a definite emphasis on texture and color.

Creative Spark: Meditating is huge, as are reading, visiting museums, grocery shopping, and talking to people, especially my husband. He’s a musician and incredibly creative. Some of my best creative ideas come out of our conversations.

Second-Choice Career: I would start my own business as a surface pattern designer.

Other Passions: Cooking, music, reading, good food, and napping.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You:  I have had mononucleosis twice. Don’t kiss me.

Best Advice Received: William Whitaker is always telling me to follow my feelings.

Pet Peeve: When people chew with their  mouths open.

Quirkiest Trait: Making up theme songs for everyday moments and singing them out loud is a little weird.

Favorite Studio Music: Radiohead. Then there is some local music that I love, such as Mideau, The Moth & The Flame, Polytype, and my husband’s band, Fictionist.

Favorite Work by Another Artist: I absolutely love anything by Nicolai Fechin. Another favorite is Mark Rothko. John Singer Sargent is a no-brainer, of course. And then a favorite living artist is Jeremy Lipking.

Future Goals: The ultimate goal is to make a comfortable living with my painting. Currently I have a day job as a surface pattern designer, and I am an adjunct instructor in the Brigham Young University illustration department.

Price Range: $150 to $3,500.

Representation: FourSquare Art, Mesa, AZ.

Featured in the September 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art September 2014 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!