Leslie Blackford doesn’t think much about photographing her extraordinary small sculptures but I can’t resist snapping pictures of them.
The segmented fish and smiling alligator wiggle and writhe on the cords that run through them. I snagged these recently as Leslie was preparing samples for the Las Vegas Clay Carnival where she’ll be teaching with a great cast of characters in late August.
Leslie grew up in the woods of Kentucky and Tennessee and she has an affinity for snakes and birds and other woodsy creatures. She dresses her versions in costumes and puts them in baffling situations that charm and delight. Here’s a reclining bird, a deer in camoflage, a girl with a bucket of snakes, and a wine glass that might give you pause.
Yesterday’s broken link to the PolymerClayGlobal site has been fixed. Thanks for letting me know.
Randee M Ketzel ,
I just love Leslie’s work–she make all of her sculpting so effortless, and as a teacher she is so charming and real you just want to pick her up and out her in your pocket.
Francie Owens ,
I just adore Leslie’s wonderfully quirky creatures. I look forward to seeing Leslie each year at the Mammoth Cave polymer clay retreat. I love seeing what she creates and I add to my collection each year. Each piece brings a smile to my face. Plus, she is one of the nicest people I know!
Ellen Irby ,
Leslie is amazing! I’m by no means a talented polymer clay artist, and yet I took a wonderful weekend clay class with her at Creative Journey Studios and managed to make an extremely cute ornament honoring my recently passed-away cat that makes me smile every time I look at it because it captures her so well. If you haven’t taken a class from Leslie, it should be high on your bucket list (and if you have, you already know she is the sweetest person on Earth!)!
Cindy Bowles ,
Is it possible to subscribe to Polymer Clay Global like you can for PC Daily?
Thank you for all you do to keep us connected!
Alison ,
Fantastic work! I love the moveable fish. So well made and so much fun!