Color and light have long characterized the works of California artist, Leslie Toms. The intense color and sunlight of the west coast, along with the influence of the Society of Six, Bay Area Figurative painters, and other contemporary northern California artists, gives her art its singular character.

Born and raised in the quiet suburbs of Sacramento, Toms’ interest in art began at a very early age. This passion progressed through college degrees, numerous commissions and awards to a full time pursuit of painting. Her early years as a working artist were dominated by printmaking and commission work with an emphasis on abstract imagery. These years of artistic training and experimentation eventually led her to painting. From this same journey emerged Toms’ current subject matter. It is a theme based on travel and culture which she began as a fourteen year old exchange student to Bolivia. By the time she had received her B.A. in Art she had already visited thirty-seven countries. Her travels, stored safely in memory, emerged when she abandoned abstraction for the lush landscapes and cityscapes that have become her signature.

Maintaining that her work defies precise classification, Toms describes herself as a “Contemporary Colorist”. Toms often utilizes manmade structures invitingly juxtaposed with the natural environment. She then heightens the experience using a unique color sensibility to describe her vision. “I love life and I paint what I love most about it . . . that life is colorful and always changing.” Her enthusiasm for the world around her and willingness to test its limits shine clearly in her art. The deft use of color, light and composition compels the viewer to share that spirit.

Toms divides her time between studio and location painting. She lives in an old Tudor cottage with her husband, daughter, two cats and a dog. She continues to travel as often as possible.