LESLIE PINO DURANT 303.880.5274 / LesliePinoDurant@gmail.com / www.LesliePinoDurant.com / 

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a mixed media artist, I channel a rollercoaster of emotions into my work, reveling in the joy of creating something entirely new. My process is spontaneous and uncharted, fueled by the thrill of exploration and discovery. Each piece begins with vibrant chaos — collage, mark-making, and texture — then gradually moves toward structure as the story emerges. Bright acrylics, bold shapes, and layered surfaces become my language for expressing the full spectrum of human feeling.

At the heart of my work are strong women — often in groups — standing together in solidarity, friendship, and sisterhood. They appear in their finest, dressed in radiant colors, embodying resilience, beauty, and mutual support. These figures are more than portraits; they are testaments to connection, empowerment, and shared strength.

I draw inspiration from artists like Shara Hughes, Andrew Salgado, and Jose Cacho, whose lively colors and provocative imagery resonate in my work. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s fearless strokes and raw energy influence my own bold, intuitive approach. My subjects range from figures and words to animals and florals, each holding an untold narrative.

While the act of creation in my studio is deeply personal, my work truly comes alive when it connects with others. I hope viewers find fragments of their own stories in the layered colors and textures — moments of recognition, empowerment, or joy hidden in the sometimes colorful chaos.

BIOGRAPHY

Leslie Pino Durant (b. 1966, Belen, New Mexico, USA) is a mixed-media artist based in Placitas, New Mexico. She began painting in her late 40s as a way to calm her mind and body while living with multiple sclerosis. What started as a quiet, personal refuge soon grew into a passion for learning, experimenting, failing, and creating more.

Leslie’s work begins with vibrant layers of collage, acrylic paint drips, pencil marks, and stencils. From that initial burst of energy, she shifts into a phase of thoughtful organization — refining composition, value, and color harmony. Between layers, she pauses to study and envision, letting images take shape in her mind before they appear on the canvas. The process culminates in the most exhilarating stage: sharing her finished work with others.

At the heart of her art are strong women — often together in solidarity, friendship, and sisterhood — dressed in their brightest colors, surrounded by bold, beautiful flowers. Her first exhibition, fittingly titled Mujeres and Flores, reflected this central theme.

Since releasing her work to the public in 2020, Leslie has shared her art in galleries, online exhibits, publications, and social media. She approaches each day in the studio with gratitude and excitement, pouring her heart and soul into every piece she creates. 

REPRESENTATION

Patrician Design
216 Gold St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
 www.patriciandesign.com /505-242-7646

Art-o-mat®
www.artomat.org

GROUP AND JURIED EXHIBITIONS 

2025 - The 8th House: ANTIQUES | VINTAGE | FINE ART : September 2025 Feature Artist / The 8th House/ Albuquerque, NM

2025 - Another Exceptional Women’s Art Show: Expect the Unexpected / Old Walls Gallery/ Albuquerque, NM

2025 - Bright and Bold / 3017 Gallery / Albuquerque

2025 - Las Damas, Inside the Studios (juried) / Muses Santa Fe / Santa Fe, NM

2025 - FUN-A-DAY / Fourteenfifteen Gallery / Albuquerque, NM

2025 - LOVERS/ Old Walls Gallery / Albuquerque, NM

2024 - SMALL WORKS (juried) / New Mexico Art League / Albuquerque, NM

2024 - SENSES (juried) / Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery / Santa Fe, NM

2024 - R3SI$T! (juried) / Old Walls Gallery / Albuquerque, NM

2024 - REJECTS! (juried) / Tortuga Gallery / Albuquerque, NM

2024 - VIBRANT / Art Moziak Fine Art Gallery / Santa Fe, NM

2024 OUTSIDE THE BOX (juried) / New Mexico Art League / Albuquerque, NM

2024 GO SPORTS / 3017 Gallery / Albuquerque, NM

2024 OUR AMERICA: A TAPESTRY OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY / Placitas Community Library / Placitas, NM

2024 RITUALS FOR NOW / Fourteenfifteen Gallery / Albuquerque, NM 

2025 MSAA ART SHOWCASE - Online Showcase of Art Created by Artists with Multiple Sclerosis / https://mymsaa.org/artshowcase2025/leslie-pino-durant/

2024 MSAA ART SHOWCASE - Online Showcase of Art Created by Artists with Multiple Sclerosis / https://mymsaa.org/artshowcase2024/leslie-pino-durant/ 

2023 MSAA ART SHOWCASE - Online Showcase of Art Created by Artists with Multiple Sclerosis / https://mymsaa.org/artshowcase2023/leslie-pino-durant/ 

2022 COMMUNITY GALLERY NIGHT / Hub City Art Collective / Belen, NM

2022 MSAA ART SHOWCASE - Online Showcase of Art Created by Artists with Multiple Sclerosis / https://mymsaa.org/artshowcase2022/leslie-pino-durant/ 

March/April 2021 COVER ART / International Journal of MS Care

2021 MSAA ART SHOWCASE - Online Showcase of Art Created by Artists with Multiple Sclerosis / https://mymsaa.org/artshowcase2021/leslie-pino-durant/ 

2020 MSAA ART SHOWCASE - Online Showcase of Art Created by Artists with Multiple Sclerosis / https://mymsaa.org/artshowcase2020/entrants/leslie-pino-durant/