Lissa Leslie

St Sophia
Egg tempera on wood, gold leaf
30 x 40 cm

Dedicated to Stephen Windsor Leslie KC – a beloved husband, who was so looking forward to seeing this.

Biography

Lissa Leslie’s journey into iconography began with a fascination for the visual language of sacred art. As a child she would be taken by globe-trotting parents to countries across the globe to visit different churches which provided a place of spirituality and calm amidst beautiful imagery. She was lucky enough to attend Gumley House Convent School, and have as her Art Teacher, Sister Bernadette Crook, herself a contemporary iconographer.

Drawn to the contemplative discipline of icon painting, Lissa pursued formal training at where she studied the techniques of Byzantine and Orthodox iconography. Her studies included the three-year Icon Painting Programme at the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, which combines practical craftsmanship with theological reflection. Through this, she has explored the use of natural pigments, egg tempera, and gilding, while also engaging with the theological meaning behind each image.

Lissa’s iconography is characterized by a faithful adherence to tradition while also exploring subtle innovations in style and composition. She works primarily with egg tempera on wood panels, employing gold leaf to symbolize divine light. Each icon is created through prayer and meditation, reflecting the Orthodox understanding that icons are not mere artworks but windows into the divine.

Her portfolio includes depictions of Christ Pantocrator, the Theotokos (Mother of God), and various saints. Within Lissa’s icons a certain simplicity can be sensed. Along with a luminous colour palette, she often integrates elements of Western sacred art history into her compositions, reflecting her interest in comparative theology and symbolism. As a recent young widow, there is thankfulness and sombreness in her work.

Lissa’s work shares her vision of iconography as both a devotional practice and a living artistic tradition. She does not consider iconography as simply an artistic pursuit but a spiritual vocation. She views the creation of icons as a form of prayer, where the painter becomes a vessel for divine inspiration. This perspective aligns with the Orthodox tradition that icons emphasize their theological function as conveyors of truth rather than aesthetic decoration.

Her work resonates with those seeking a deeper connection to sacred art, and she has contributed to the modern revival of interest in iconography. By exhibiting, she helps preserve the techniques of traditional icon painting while inspiring new generations of artists and believers.

Though still an emerging figure, Lissa Leslie represents a growing movement of artists dedicated to reviving and sustaining sacred traditions in a modern context. Her icons embody the timeless principles of harmony, symbolism, and devotion, offering viewers a contemplative encounter with the divine. Through her practice, Leslie demonstrates how traditional arts remain vital in contemporary culture, serving as bridges between faith, history, and artistic expression.