Crosstimbers Pottery

About Leland Leslie

My work is influenced by the American Craft Movement, Caddoan Pottery, Japanese aesthetics and potters Shiho Kanzaki and Mel Cornshucker. I was first introduced to pottery as a course requirement for art education program at OSU under Richard Bivins. I was able to study classical architecture in Italy, medieval castles in Scotland. I've taught in London as well as at TCC and St. Gregory's University. I received a Fulbright award to study Tea Ceremony, Tea Bowls, and pottery in Japan, and then another to write curriculum for Japanese pottery studies. I became a Fulbright Scholar in 2020 after being a guest researcher at the University of Helsinki, Finland. My research focused on visual literacy as a transversal skill and phenomenon based education. I received Master's in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from OSU. My work is in private collections in Japan and U.S.

An Interview with Leland

Q: Favorite clay?
A: A bag of Shigaraki clay given to me while in Tokyo. Also, a bag of micaceous clay given to me by Felipe Ortega.

Q: What inspires your work?
A: Inspiration for me comes from the larger idea that pots are functional. I also really like the surfaces that wood firing gives pots.

Q: How would you describe your work to potential buyers?
A: My work seems recognizable and familiar at first but if one looks more closely they can see details that are subtle and quiet.