Leslie A. Fouse

Born in Ohio in 19## , Leslie grew up in South Florida, and later fell in love with the Bahamas and island life.  She was last rumored to be in or near the Abacos.  After early retirement from teaching , her lifelong interest in art and the outdoors were free to flourish.

An avid skin diver, beach comber, and observer of island life n Leslie draws from these experiences for many of her creations.  A seafaring lifestyle aboard their own trawler inspires art forms of a nautical nature, Leslies watercolors, fish rubbings, driftwood paintings around the world. and shell wreaths are on display in various Bahamian Galleries, the Audubon Gallery of Charlestown, and in many private collection.

The term "Fish Rubbing" is an art form that is really a form of nature printing.  Leslie writes:

Gyotaku , a form of nature printing , was first known in Japan as a means of recording an exceptional catch.  The name , loosely translated means "fish rubbing". Gyotaku began its development in the United States about 50 years ago.

Although there are a few variations of method , the easiest and most common process of fish rubbing requires obtaining a fresh fish , washing and drying it thoroughly and applying ink or paint directly to the fish. Handmade rice paper is then positioned on the fish and every fin, gill, and scale is meticulously rubbed to transfer the ink of paint impression from the fish onto the rice paper.

With her gyotaku Leslie shows a feel for the sea creatures and an eye for detail, her sublte use of colors remind me of the fish portrayed.  The details she manages are magnificent. 

An Example of Leslie's Gyotaku