Leslie Ann Lemieux - Artist-Illustrator,Possible Writer

This is a watercolor/acrylic base painting. In the summer of 2019, I was traveling on the Bozeman Pass in Montana. A immense thunderstorm moved into the region. Struck by the colors of the storm, I took a snapshot so I could paint it one day. The rocks of Chestnut Peak were amazing on the mountainside. I have loved and missed the beautiful thunderstorms that are common to the region during the late spring and summer. This painting was done on 400 lb Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper. The measurements are 32 inches wide by 22 inches long. 

This is a very personal piece for me. For five years, I lived outside of Portland in Clackamas county. There I took care of my elderly father who had dementia. He loved longs drives during the time I was his caregiver up to the last four months of his life. After he passed away, I had to leave the area. When caregiving for an elderly parent with dementia, there is no time for yourself as an artist in the late stages of the disease. There were so many places I had to just drive by. After his death, I decided to paint this autumn scene on the Willamette River looking towards the George Abernathy Bridge where the freeway crosses it. Once again, with only a simple set of children's watercolors, I sat at the park bench to paint this plein air style. This one stays in my own private collection. It is not for sale.

A tiny study in simplicity of color with cheap watercolors that are used by children. This was an experiment to see if I could actually use an inferior medium source and make it actually look decent. It was also an experiment for me to learn to simplify how I paint and draw in general. Based off of a photograph I took on the one evening I stopped at Crater Lake Oregon in 2019. 
7"x10"inches on 140 lb/300 gas Cold Press Watercolor paper.

Due to the Corona Virus 19 Restrictions in the World Postal System, I am not able to send any artwork outside of the United States. Painting is not framed when shipped. It will be on a cardboard backing to withstand any bending during shipping.

A tiny study of color and sunlight with cheap watercolors that are used by children. This was an experiment to see if I could actually use an inferior medium source and make it actually look good. This little African Violet was aglow one day in my studio. I took a photograph of it then decided to try to capture the mood.
On a 6"x 9" inch paper. Painting measures 4"x7" inches

140 lb/300 gas Cold Press Watercolor paper.



Due to the Corona Virus 19 Restrictions in the World Postal System, I am not able to send any artwork outside of the United States. Painting is not framed when shipped. It will be on a cardboard backing to withstand any bending during shipping.

Found this little daffodils looking like it was struggling to keep its head up after an early spring snow in the garden. This time I used acrylic paints thinned to the constancy of watercolors to achieve this realistic painting. 
 
7"x10"inches painting on 9"x12" 140 lb/300 gas Cold Press Watercolor paper.

Due to the Corona Virus 19 Restrictions in the World Postal System, I am not able to send any artwork outside of the United States. Painting is not framed when shipped. It will be on a cardboard backing to withstand any bending during shipping.

Behind the acreage where I am living, the Palouse of Eastern Washington begins with its rolling hills. I caught the sight of the hail lining the furthermost top hill and clouds. The white hillside against the backdrop of the thunderstorm was just stunning to me. I love capturing moments of landscapes like this.
7"x10"inches painting on 9"x12" 140 lb/300 gas Cold Press Watercolor paper.

Due to the Corona Virus 19 Restrictions in the World Postal System, I am not able to send any artwork outside of the United States. Painting is not framed when shipped. It will be on a cardboard backing to withstand any bending during shipping.

Title forgotten, but done around 2011 as well. Based on another photo of the Montana countryside. I think I just loved the way that the movement of the hill flowed with the clouds at the time. How the shadows hit the cliffside. 
8 x12 inch image in watercolor with light beige mat board expanding the measuring size to 15 x 19 inches.

This is an ancient piece done in 2008. My attempt at simplification of a landscape. Based on a photo from a family trip to Glacier National Park when my family was much younger. Still have it. It is up for sale. 
Actual image is approximately 9 x 15 inches. Has black matting to expand to 15 x 20 inches. All colored pencil.

This is a very special piece that is not for sale. But worth sharing. Everyday for a about a year or two, my late husband and I would drive past this spot on the Yellowstone River. He told me one day that this was his favorite spot before on the river. Where the sun glistened just beautifully for him. With the Crazy Mountains behind, Sheep Mountain and the Absorokee Mountains around that corner in the distance, it was indeed magical. Since his birthday was in October, I made this quick sketch of the Yellowstone for his birthday. He enjoyed this drawing for the last two years of his life. This one I am keeping. 

From a photo off of the southern Oregon coast near the seaside town of Brookings. This was my first attempt at trying to make a pen behave more like a brush or pencil than a pen. Not my best piece, but worth sharing. 


15 x 20 inches total on illustration board. Done with a Pilot G- Tec-C3/0.3 size fine tipped black ink pen.

From a photo off of the southern Oregon coast near the seaside town of Brookings. This was my second attempt at trying to make a pen behave more like a brush or pencil than a pen. Not my best piece, but worth sharing. 


15 x 20 inches total on illustration board. Done with a Pilot G- Tec-C3/0.3 size fine tipped blue ink pen.

One day, driving through Montana westward, I saw this amazing light in a set of thunderclouds in the distance. I pulled the car over off the highway and took several photos of the beautiful lighting. Later at home, I manipulated the photo with different levels of saturations and settings. The results were even better. I had to eventually paint it. Even if it meant using cheap watercolors, which I ended up doing. Would love to eventually try this again with better quality paints in a larger format.
Due to circumstances in my life, I still do not have a studio, but I finally do have a table to use for simple, relatively non-messy works. Translations? Small works with watercolor and pencils only. There is something good about small works of art. You have to get up close and intimate with the piece to understand all it is trying to say. This is especially true with this small but powerful watercolor. It is stunning close up. More to see than my cell phone was able to capture here in the photo.

On 9x12 inch Acid Free 140lb. Cold Press Finish Watercolor Paper. Painted with school grade watercolors.