Circling

Each piece begins with digital studies, where I design and scale the icons, playing with colour, rhythm, and composition. These digital explorations evolve into handmade prototypes, where I print, cut, and place each piece, refining the design further in paper. The final, large-scale handmade works range from 31 to 36 inches in diameter—intentionally sized to embrace the viewer without overwhelming them. A final handmade artwork can have between 7,000 and 9,000 pieces of paper.

Lesley selects subject matter that captivates her curiosity and imagination—often choosing themes she wishes to explore in greater depth. Through the design process, she deepens her understanding of the history and culture of each subject, mirroring the viewer’s own experience of discovering the details in her work. Her pieces are often inspired by primary or historical artifacts, which she integrates as source material. Past works have explored The Beaches Community and Canadian Music. Upcoming works will focus on Algonquin Park and the Group of Seven, women in Canadian music, and Toronto graffiti artists.

Each work comes with a separate legend explaining the source imagery of each icon used in the concentric rings. It is printed on ¼” thick rigid white acrylic that the viewer can keep and refer to.

Concentric circles have always captivated me because of their ability to draw the viewer’s eye inward, creating a contemplative experience. They represent the idea of community and home, with each layer reflecting different aspects of personal and communal identity, converging at a shared center of belonging.

It’s created on a wood panel, canvas, and incorporates acrylic paint and images and designs printed with
ChromaLife100+ ink on archival paper. The concentric circles you see are made up of intricately decorated fragments of cut, printed and painted pieces of paper.

The shapes I use, especially the concentric circles, are chosen for their symbolic value and visual impact. Concentric circles naturally guide the viewer's gaze towards the center, creating a focal point that encourages closer inspection. For the other elements within the circles, like the fragments of paper, I select shapes that can be intricately detailed and fit together harmoniously. These shapes often incorporate archival images, icons and landmarks, adding layers of meaning to the piece.

I choose colours based on both their aesthetic appeal and their ability to convey the essence of the subject I'm depicting. For example, in pieces focused on specific neighbourhoods, I use colours that evoke the local environment or cultural vibe. I also consider complementary colours to create visual harmony and to enhance the vibrancy of the piece. The goal is to draw viewers in from a distance while offering a rich, detailed experience up close.