Flore Lesca: Exploring texture and colour in art

Flore Lesca creates textured and colourful artworks full of details, striking a balance between chaos and order, where bold and playful meets delicate and sober, but always fantastical by nature. 

Here we chat with Flore about her journey into the art world…

Can you tell us your backstory and how you got into the art world?

I’ve always been creative – at school I would hang out in the art department whenever I had a free period, while during classes I would be doodling all over any surface I could find, including my own arm. I’d be given paper and pens to occupy myself at the table when we would eat out, birthday and christmas presents were largely craft related, and my parents always encouraged me to take my (usually negative) emotions out through drawing or painting.

I went on to do an art foundation at Central St Martins, and then fell into a job which led me to pursue a career in the corporate world of business intelligence. Seven successful years onward, I was burnt out, depressed, and had lost touch with any creative fibre within me which, funnily enough, I cared more about than my mental and physical state.

At the time I was engrossed in interior design magazines and shows so I decided to make the switch into the field by taking a course in interior design at KLC school of design. This gave me the confidence to go back to my artistic roots and finally follow my passion for art and design.

How would you describe your signature style and technique?

My signature style evokes a balance between chaos and order, where bold and playful meets delicate and sober, but always fantastical by nature. My paintings have an illustrative quality to them, rich in texture and colour, created by layering a mixture of various mediums including watercolour, ink and wax.

Can you tell us about your latest work? Where did you find inspiration and what is the story behind it?

My latest work is called ‘Duality’s Reflection ‘. It’s watercolour, ink, and wax on a MDF sheet which can be folded vertically. The theme is centered around how we perceive and relate to the world around us. It’s inspired by a photograph of me taken on a hiking trip in Peru. The artwork’s dual nature shows, on one side, a person gazing back at the winding mountainous path while the other side, almost mirroring its opposite but without human presence, depicts a serene landscape.

The viewer’s perception of reality is challenged here as their perspective determines the dominant image. It serves as a testament to the contextual nature of reality, highlighting how our understanding of the world is filtered through our own unique experiences and biases.

Are there any exhibitions or events you are planning?

Later this year I will be showcasing my latest work at Roy’s art fair (27-29 September) which I am super excited about. The works I’ll be showing include the new piece above (“Duality’s reflection”, large mixed media painting), as well as smaller format textile artworks – all bold in colour and rich in texture.

What is the best advice you received as an artist?

Never be afraid to make mistakes.

Website: florelesca.co.uk

Follow Flore on Instagram @florelesca

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