Leslie Hancock is an award-winning sculptor of small-scale mixed-media figurative sculpture using polymer clay.

Leslie is a member of Central Texas Art Doll Sculptors, the Texas Society of Sculptors, the Texas Association of Original Doll Artists, the Academy of American Doll Artists, and served on the board of the Austin Association of Sculptors. She is also the founder of Novice Sculptors, the largest online community dedicated to discovering and developing the skills of beginning-level sculptors.

Leslie's passion started as a novel hobby: tearing apart store-bought action figures and resculpting and painting them to create custom toys. Her first piece, a 4" golden snake, was a runner-up in a contest sponsored by ToyFare, the nation's leading action figure magazine. Leslie is honored to participate on a panel of toy creators at the annual international San Diego Comic Convention.

The leap from action figures to sculpted figurines was a natural one. Leslie taught herself wire armature techniques and began sculpting 10", 12", and 14" scale figures, focusing primarily on fantasy- and hero-inspired busts and art dolls. During this period of time Leslie honed her skills in applying realistic detail to idealized forms.

A former school teacher, Leslie wanted to help others learn to sculpt. She founded the Novice Sculptors online community and began teaching in various local venues. She joined the faculty of the historic Elisabet Ney Sculpture Conservatory and later became a member of its board of directors.

With her angelic piece "Sara," Leslie began exploring an interest in the female flying form. In creating an abstract jumping female, "Blue Leaper," she defined a new kind of figurative piece, suspended females in motion that she calls aerosculpture. Her work with suspended figures has been featured in Contemporary Doll Collector.

Today, she focuses her attention on airborne pieces depicting feminine grace and athleticism in flying, leaping, and soaring poses. Her goal is to lift the hearts and minds of art enthusiasts and bring a touch of beauty into collectors' homes.

Leslie can be contacted at leslie@LHancock.com. To receive updates of her work, join the LHancock Mailing List.