Leslie Tieke

The creative process brings joy to my life. Nature and the divine creative spirit that lives in all people inspire me. Art and nature bring an aspect of heaven to earth. I embrace the great creative force that is alive in earth’s children. It's a gift from God.

Having been born and educated in the richness of the Great Smoky Mountain arts and crafts neighborhood, I have had the opportunity to walk diverse paths through many creative mediums.  I am thankful for the background I have experienced, while "crafting a life". I’ve had the opportunity to explore the diversity of the craft world, and try it on
to see what fits my style, and lifestyle. While walking this path I found my special interest, Precious Metal Clay and Polymer Clay. I work with PMC because of its organic nature while embracing the ability to finish pieces quickly using PMC plus with torch firing. I create one of a kind pieces that exhibit my feelings and personality. I love rich vibrant colors that make me feel alive, colors that stir emotion, yummy rich vibrant colors that provide a visual feast. Polymer clay offers a beautiful palette of color in solids or unique blends to meet the need of a color junky like me. Color arrives in my PMC work in the placement of a natural or man made stone, enamel, dicroic glass, pottery shards, polymer clay or liver of sulfur. These materials and techniques give the Precious Metal Clay artist an endless world of possibilities, as the elements of design weave their magic through ones imagination.

I believe that participating in the diverse forms of creativity keeps one fresh to their own special field of expertise. Touching the fiber of a hand woven garment can lead to the inspiration of a new PMC creation. Being excited about a color of enamel can be the foundation of an idea to incorporate the color into a new PMC design. What you touch becomes personal, touching precious metal clay seals a creative moment into "fine silver".

  PMC is new and the horizons of possibilities for this material are exciting. Elements of texture are happy to lend themselves to the creation of organic design in PMC. It’s exciting to embrace this new approach to precious metal. The introduction of this new product to creative individuals will result in continual expansion of imagination. The diversity and beautiful qualities of silver are taken to new levels with the introduction of this innovative new material, "PMC".

Throughout my life I have found joy in the playground of the creative process. My dedicated goal as an instructor, is to create a learning environment where the students feel safe to explore their own creativity. Friendly encouragement is a powerful tool in any classroom. I teach students to reach for high levels of craftsmanship and encourage them to discover their own original and creative style.

I desire to empower students to embrace this new material and encourage them to flex their imagination to create one of a kind pieces. I feel joy when I see new students glow as new ideas and possibilities dance in their eyes. I encourage students to embrace the value of the creative process.

     As I reflect on my life I realize that I have been the happiest when my life has included artistic activity and expression. When I followed the traditional style of work life I felt a void. I felt like a misfit in the traditional workplace. My inner compass has always led me back to find myself in the area of arts and crafts. It’s my true north of who I am and what I enjoy! I once read a quote from the ancient Essene brotherhood, it said, "A man who had found his work (calling) should ask no greater blessing from God." In today’s language, Fortunate is the person who has found their bliss and can make a living doing it. Joseph Campbell simply says, "Follow your bliss".