Leslye Cole studied graphic design at Randwick Technical College, graduating in 1981. During her last year of tertiary education, she accepted an invitation by the college and the Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children, Camperdown Sydney, to work in a casual position as a medical Illustrator. In 1982 she took up a position at Buchanan Bullpitt & Grey advertising agency in Milsons Point, Sydney, working as an assistant art director, and quickly promoted to art director. 

Cole changed direction in 1986, taking up a position working as a senior graphic designer at Stone Davies Alley Marketing Design, Crows Nest, Sydney. Here she was introduced to the concept of the psychological effect of colour.

In 1988 she commenced a freelance career as an illustrator and graphic designer working chiefly for international publisher, Simon & Schuster, providing book illustrations for eight non-fiction titles. Cole joined Alexander Lavroff & Associates, Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, in 1994, an agency representing a stable of Australia’s best illustrators.

In 1997, after that business folded, she joined new agency Every Picture Tells a Story, Cremorne, Sydney, which consequently took over the representation of her artistic peers. During their sixteen year association Cole provided artwork for all of the major international advertising agencies and designers working on the world’s leading brands.

In 2012 Cole relocated to a farm east of Tamworth, NSW to establish a career in fine art.