The paintings of Leslie Pratt-Thomas, though varied in content, portray the natural world through her unique life experience. Having lived in Canada, New England, Colorado and finally Charleston, SC she is "at home" painting a wide variety of subject matter. Her beginnings as a realist showcased her ability to capture light on a creek, a shorebird, or a shrimp boat; and she says now, after 20 plus years of daily painting, that she is just beginning to "get it." Armed with knowledge, dedication, and her own personal style, she is creating work that is garnering national and international recognition.
She is primarily self-taught learning most from her consistent weekly practice - painting "en plein air" (or in the open), and on these adventures is often accompanied by her canine companion. Early in her career she frequented weekly classes from local instructors and various workshops while pursuing the fundamentals of painting. She still travels annually to work with noted artists for specific skills she wishes to enhance and she is happy to share her knowledge.
For several years she has taught small groups in her studio, as well as occasional workshops. "Teaching the rudiments and subtleties of oil painting is pure pleasure; seeing my students' perspectives and growth reminds me of when I first started painting and began viewing the world through an artistic lens - there is nothing like reliving that excitement with them."
National Memberships
American Artists Professional League (AAPL) Elected Artist Member
American Impressionist Society (AIS) Associate Member
American Women Artists (AWA) Member with Distinction
Oil Painters of America (OPA) Associate Member
Portrait Society of America (PSOA) Associate Member
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) Associate Member
Awards & Exhibitions
2024
Painting (On His Throne) accepted into the AAPL Realism on the Hudson Show
2023
. Painting (Mornin’) juried into the 2023 NOAPS Spring Online Exhibition
. Painting (Fresh Cut) is accepted into the 2023 AAPL Online Spring Exhibition
2022
. Painting (Follow the Sun) juried into the 2022 NOAPS Associate Member Online Exhibition
. Painting (Cherry Baby) juried into the 2022 NOAPS International Spring Online Exhibition
. Painting (Stalking) is accepted into the 2022 Birds in Art Show at the Leigh Yawkey
Art Museum in Wausau, WI
. Painting (My Three Gulls) juried into the AIS 2022 Associate Member Online Exhibition
. Painting (Follow the Sun) juried into the AAPL Spring 2022 Member Online Show
Painting (French Breakfast Radishes) juried into the AAPL Associate Artist Member Show
2021
•. Solo Show entitled “Wingspan” at Dare Gallery, Charleston, SC
Painting (Cloak and Daggers) juried into the NOAPS Fall International Online Exhibit and received a Merit Award
Painting (Flats Fishing) juried into the 2nd Annual American Impressionist Society All Member Online Exhibition
Painting (Last Light Flight) juried into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Exhibition
Painting (French Breakfast Radishes) juried into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Associate Members Online Exhibition
Painting (My Three Gulls) juried into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Spring Online International Show
2020
Painting (It Was This Big) purchased by the Woodson Art Museum for the Permanent Collection
Painting (It Was This Big) selected to tour in four national museums during 2021/2022 as part of the Birds in Art Show
Painting (Profile) accepted into the Oil Painters of America 2020 Salon Juried Show
Painting (It Was This Big) juried into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Spring Online Show
Painting (It Was This Big) juried into the American Women Artists Spring Online Show
Painting (It Was This Big) is accepted in Birds in Art Show at the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI
Painting (Bee on the Bud) accepted into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Small Painting National Juried Exhibition at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD
Painting (No Need to be Coy, Roy) accepted into the 4th Annual American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX
Painting (Five Spoons, No Forks) will show in three national museums during 2020 as part of the Birds in Art Show
2019
Painting (Five Spoons, No Forks) is among the selected paintings in the Birds in Art Show at the Woodson Art Museum chosen to travel to three national museums for 2020
Painting (Five Spoons, No Forks) is accepted in Birds in Art Show at the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI
Painting (Peony in Light) is accepted into the 3rd Annual American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase in Petosky, MI
Painting (Profile) is juried into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Small Painting Exhibition at RS Hannah Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX
Painting (Five Spoons, No Forks) is a Master Class Finalist for ArtMuse Contest
2018
Painting (Profile) is a Master Class Finalist for December in ArtMuse Contest
Painting (Five Spoons, No Forks) is juried into the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibit at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD
Group Show entitled "Spirit and Image" at Edward Dare Gallery, Charleston, SC
2017
• Three pieces are selected for a national show entitled "Six Squared" Exhibit at the Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
• Commissioned to paint posthumous portrait for Toby's Place, Columbia, SC
• Invitation accepted to demonstrate at Summer Wine Bouquet 2017, Charleston, SC
2016
• Painting (Coming In), is juried into the American Women Artists 2016 National Exhibition at the Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT
• Invitation accepted to provide several small works for 3rd Annual Fine Art Auction in association with Morris + Whiteside Auctions at Sylvan Gallery in Charleston, SC
2015
• Paintings featured for purchase at J.A. Willy Gallery in Naples, FL
• Painting (Birds on a Wire) chosen for Juried Exhibition in "Carolina's Got Art!" in Charlotte, NC
• Two Person show entitled "Skirting the Coast" at Edward Dare Gallery, Charleston, SC
• Invitation accepted to provide several small works for 2nd Annual Fine Art Auction in association with Morris + Whiteside Auctions at Sylvan Gallery in Charleston, SC
• Invitation accepted to provide several pieces for Collector's Show at the Arts Center of Greenwood, SC
2014
• Invitation is accepted to participate in the juried event, "Arts on the Green," a week long plein air competition and show in Cashiers, NC
• Eight pieces are selected for "Let There Be Art," showcased at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, GA
• Leslie teaches workshop for beginner and intermediate painters at Eos Art Supply in Mt. Pleasant, SC
2013
• Group show opens at Edward Dare Gallery, Charleston, SC
• Eight pieces are selected for "Let There Be Art," showcased at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, GA
2012
• Painting (Looking Left) is accepted into the Third Annual Nature and Wildlife Exhibition in St. Augustine, FL
• Eight pieces are selected for "Let There Be Art", showcased at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, GA
• Paintings become available for purchase in Essex, MA at Muzio Designs
• Solo show entitled "Heart-Shaped World" in conjunction with book signing by Mary Alice Monroe opens at Sandpiper Gallery, Sullivan's Island, SC
2011
• Two person show entitled "Coastal Heritage: Our Bond With Nature" is featured in American Art Collector magazine
• One piece, Shake a Tail Feather, is chosen for the Paint America Mini Top 50, a national show
• Two pieces, Cocksure and Chicken Crosses the Road, are chosen for the Paint America Top 100, a national show
2010
• The book, Shackles (illustrated by Leslie Pratt-Thomas), wins a SIBA Book Award nomination
• Painting (Sassy) chosen for Juried Exhibition in Carolina's Got Art!, Charlotte, NC
2009
• Shackles wins a Silver for 2009 Moonbeam Awards
• One Woman Show and Book Launch for Shackles at Sandpiper Gallery, Sullivan’s Island, SC
2008
• Created sixteen illustrations for Shackles, a children’s book by S.C. Poet Laureate, Marjory Heath Wentworth
• Commissioned to do posthumous portrait of Walterboro Family Court Judge, the Honorable John Black
2007
• Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition (juried), Charleston, SC ~ Honorable Mention (Frolicking Foam)
• Four Person Show at Sandpiper Gallery, Sullivan’s Island, SC
• National book release: Swimming Lessons (I Can Fly – cover art)
• Invitational Painting Exhibition, Charleston, SC Charleston Garden Festival at Middleton Gardens
• Charleston Artist Guild Show, Charleston, SC ~ Honorable Mention (Early Morning Shadows at the Beach)
2006
• Charleston Artist Guild Holiday Show (juried), Charleston, SC ~ 2nd place (Pursuit of a Bouquet)
• Group Show “The Artist’s Eye” at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC sponsored by the SC Portrait Society of America
• Painting (I Can Fly) chosen for cover of Swimming Lessons by author Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times best-seller
• Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition (juried), Charleston, SC
2005
• One Woman Show at Edward Dare Gallery, Charleston, SC “Our Landscape”
• Invitational Group Show at Havens Framing, Columbia, SC
• Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition (juried), Charleston, SC
• Group Show at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC “Art of Diversity Among Women,” sponsored by MUSC and the College of Charleston
