The heat only added steam to a fantastic weekend of Art and fun!

“Art is our memory of love. The most an artist can do through their work is say, let me show you what I have seen, what I have loved, and perhaps you will see it and love it too.”
— Annie Beva

During the Warren Court Art Walk I set up on the porch. Despite the heat I was able to share my love of travel with my new works inspired by my recent trip to Europe.

The Warren Court Art Walk was a tremendous success. The heat only added steam to a weekend of talented artists connecting with a vibrant community of art-loving fans. I’m very grateful to the people who showed up in droves. It was wonderful to make new friends, and it felt like a blessing to get reacquainted with old friends, all in person! I put the Sennelier Oil Pastels I bought in Paris to the test. I was slightly concerned that it might have been a weekend of performance art with melting colors, but fortunately, the impasto pigments held firm at 97 degrees. These small paintings based on my recent trip to France and Austria were a big hit. I’ve got loads more new photos and inspiration, and I look forward to sharing more of my journey with you through my art. Look for the ones left on the website soon.

Suburban Essex Magazine published this article before the Art Walk. Written and with photos by the masterful Dan Epstein, I'm excited to share it with you.

As seen in the May 2022 issue of Suburban Essex Magazine.

The winner of the free raffle of the print, “Bourbon Ice Cap,” during the Warren Court Art Walk is…

Amy Campione

“Bourbon Ice Cap” was the prize for the Wild Cherry Art Raffle this year during the Warren Court Art Walk. We all needed a little frosty inspiration during this steamy weekend. Congratulations, Amy. Come over for a Bourbon on the rocks and pick up your print!

Now I’m back in the studio, working to spark joy and inspire you with my art, music, and zest for life. Please make a studio visit so I can share with you in person. This weekend you’ll find me painting Plein Aire at the Crawfishfest in Augusta, NJ. It’s a great time, like a mini NOLA Jazzfest. Look for me upfront to the left of the main stage.

Love,
Leslie
xo

Find Out How To Conquer Difficult Times By Embracing Passion.

“There’s no better exercise for strengthening the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
—Woman’s Home Companion (May 1954)

This is Ellie, my beautiful mother. She is the most kind and generous person I know. A gift.

Hi! I'm Leslie, a fine artist & owner of Wild Cherry Art. I'm on a mission to cultivate joy through art, music, and living in the spirit of appreciation. I've been off social media because my beautiful mother has taken ill, and I've been at her bedside. I’m praying that she makes a full recovery. Now she's in rehab where the visiting hours are much shorter. So, I'm back in the studio in the mornings, painting from pictures of my last trip to France. I'm returning to France at the end of April, and I will be painting all along the way. I'm so excited to be traveling again and experiencing new unforgettable adventures in this great big wonderful world. I've missed a couple of weeks with the blog, so I'm reintroducing myself to you with @JoanneHawker s #MarchMeetTheMakers challenge. You can follow my progress with the challenge on Instagram and Facebook. Come see me and my completed France Series, in person, at the Warren Court Art Walk on May 21st and 22nd.

“Poppies on Omaha” 18 x 18 inches acrylic on gallery wrapped archival canvas. Available for immediate purchase for delivery the week of May 22nd. Last time i visited France, I rented a car and drove through the countryside in search of beautiful vistas. I could do a thousand paintings, there was so much beauty.

March Meet The Makers Challenge

Day 1, You and Your Work:

At 7 years old, I painted with oils and played the piano. While other kids were partying in high school, I was home painting, drawing, and playing the piano. Also sneaking into the Fastlane in Asbury Park to see live bands. I wanted to be a painter and a rockstar when I grew up.

Graduating with a BFA from Parsons School of Design set me on an exciting course. I painted dozens of murals for Betsey Johnson, worked for multiple prestigious design firms, and held art director positions at major publishing houses. I've won awards for excellence in graphic design and illustration, working for top-shelf clientele. While living and working in NYC, I performed with my band Boom Box Barbie at CBGBs, Mercury Lounge, Brownies, and other well-known venues.

With my husband's sudden and untimely death in 2012, I abruptly became a single parent of two young children. Re-evaluating my purpose, I embarked on a journey of healing. My commitment to following my dreams strengthened. I had seen how fleeting life can be firsthand. It was time to get back to painting, music, and fulfilling that dream. I realized that I had been given a gift that I must share.

This is my beautiful friend and collector, Theresa with her Wild Cherry Art, “Sexy Sadie.” I love that this painting connects Theresa to her powerful and creative feminine spirit. “Sexy Sadie” was the first painting in the Inner Beings Series.

Now I use decades of painting, drawing, graphic design, music-making, and spiritual practices to inform my artistic process to delight and inspire you with exciting, vibrant works of art and song. My goal is to elevate the world's vibration through a joyful, divinely inspired journey, one painting at a time accompanied by an original soundtrack.

My art and spiritual practice along with some new blood pressure medication helps me when life delivers a new challenge.

Following my dreams has allowed me to maintain a sense of playful revelry in my approach to life. When you follow your heart, life is filled with meaning. It helps, when life presents its challenges, to spend your days doing something you love. I hope my story and artwork inspire you to freely express your creative nature, your inner radiance and explore your dreams and desires. It's never too late to start following your heart. Life is a bowl of cherries, enjoy all the good stuff and spit out the pits!

Sending you, and mom, loads of love and appreciation,
Leslie
xo

We can spread the love in twenty-two, me and you.

“My advice for life: dance and sing your song while the party is still on.”
— Rasheed Ogunla

The Wild Cherry Art Holiday Open House kicked ass, and it was all because of you. You made it a marvelous evening for Annie Issa Ceramics and me. I enjoyed singing and playing for you. It was a super fun night of getting together with friends old and new. We can't miss an opportunity to celebrate our one wild and precious life!

My original art shopping bags were a big hit, so I've reordered a limited supply. They are manufactured in England and arrived yesterday morning. Two are already spoken for, so click the link and get yours now! You can pick one up at the studio, we can share a coffee, and I'll show you around the place.

We've made it through another strange year. I'm taking time to reflect and honor all my wins and losses. This way, I can move forward with intention and hopefully experience more joy and meaning. I wish you and yours the most beautiful holiday and an abundance of blessings in 2022. Things will be new in twenty-two. Don't wait for life to come to you. Go out and get it, do it, be it! If I can do it, you can. I'll help you!

Let's spread the love in 22. Come to my events, commission a piece of art, tell your friends what a fantastic experience Wild Cherry Art delivers.

How to color your world with joy

“With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.”
—Henri Matisse

Davinci’s Dahlia Pink #3 30 x 30 inches of bold brilliant color inspired by a garden in France right next to Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home.

I wonder if Matisse thought Van Gogh was a witch. The first time I saw a Van Gogh painting in person, I started weeping like a baby. I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was the show, Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy and Auvers. Maybe I saw his struggle through the brush strokes or the pain in the colors, but by the time I was standing in front of "Undergrowth With Two Figures," the floodgates of my tears opened and I was almost inconsolable. The colors felt so melancholy and the figures seemed to be so fragile and ethereal I couldn't contain my emotions. That is what art and color can do. It can move you to an emotional state. I realized right then and there how powerful art is.

Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, Undergrowth With Two Figures.

I’ve chosen to make art that will fill you with joy and light. Using bright and uplifting colors and subjects, most of the time, that’ll bring a smile to your face. I’ve brought some of my collectors to tears but they were of delight!

Lemonade Parade 10 x 10 Acrylic and Mica on 2.25 inch gallery wrapped canvas. The yellow brings the feeling of joy , happiness and energy and the red gives it a pop of passion.

I realize with great power I have great responsibility! I like to do my homework. I’ve assembled a list for you to use if you are considering buying a piece of art, painting a wall, or looking to add a little pizazz with color. It will tell you the emotion connected to each color so you can choose wisely. It’s science so you can trust it!

Red:  power, passion, love, desire, strength, and danger

Pink:  hope, peace, compassion, femininity, nurturing, and understanding

Orange:  creativity, sexuality, joy, enthusiasm, determination, attraction, encouragement, and stimulation

Yellow: joy, intellect, energy, happiness, and food

Green: harmony, growth, relaxation, freshness, and fertility

Blue: trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, and truth

Purple: luxury, magic, royalty, ambition, wisdom, dignity, and independence 

Black: elegance, formality, fear, death, and evil

White: purity, cleanliness, peacefulness, simplicity, and sterility

Here in the northeast, we are blessed with the beautiful color of the changing season. Every year I am surprised by the magnificent hues of the Fall foliage. You can see from the chart, that means lots of creativity, joy, happiness, enthusiasm, determination, attraction, stimulation, and food! So expect to see more vibrant paintings. And I'll be walking a little more to make up for the increase in food!

Stay safe, be well, and enjoy all the magical colors of the beautiful season.

Love,

Leslie