Art is a powerful force that unites, heals, and enriches our lives.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
― Pablo Picasso

On the porch with my latest painting, “Looking For Cal Pep/Barcelona.” See it in the Studio Montclair Critique Group Show. The Opening is Friday, June, 16th 6 pm till 8pm, at the Studio Montclair Gallery, 127 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, NJ.

I'm delighted to recount the experience of the Warren Court Art Walk: an event that captured the essence of artistic splendor. Let me paint you a picture of this wonderful weekend and express my deep appreciation to everyone who joined this unforgettable outdoor salon.

Nestled in the heart of our vibrant community, the Warren Court Art Walk unfolded as a celebration of art, connecting artists, art lovers, and the community with a great burst of creative energy. Lucky for us the weather was fantastic. Inspired by visionary local artists this event breathed life onto the usually quiet street, transforming it into an open-air gallery where colors and stories blended with excitement. I set my porch up as a gallery space where I displayed my paintings and performed live music with drummer Glenn Healy and bass player Phil Cohen. You know it was a pARTy! Glenn also pitched in to help for the entire weekend! The variety of media on display on this one block in the historic Montrose Park District was awe-inspiring — from captivating paintings with vivid hues to intricate jewelry made from either precious metals or denim. The atmosphere was a symphony of colors and textures.

One of the best things about the art walk was the opportunity for meaningful interactions. Conversations sparkled like the lights in my latest painting, "Looking for Cal Pep/Barcelona." Artists and attendees engaged in dialogues, sharing insights, inspirations, and personal stories behind their creations.

As one of the organizers, along with Wendy Bellermann and Sybil Archibald, I am grateful to the participating artists who made the event such a success. Wendy, Sybil, and I worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every detail of the Warren Court Art Walk was an unforgettable experience for all who participated.

Thank you for wandering the art-filled street and embracing the magic of creativity. Your presence and support are invaluable, reminding us that art is a powerful force that unites, heals, and enriches our lives.

If you didn’t make it to the Art Walk or if you came and want to see more, click the button to schedule an appointment to come for a studio visit. We can meet in person or on Zoom. I can’t guarantee cocktails but coffee and tea are always available. And I’m always happy to play you a song!

See you next time!
Love,
Leslie
xo

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

Do you want to be the hero of this year's SOMA Studio Tour?

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
– Helen Keller

This was one of my tables during the 2020 SOMA Studio Tour outside set up last year.

The eighteenth annual SOMA Studio Tour planning is underway. It’s an eagerly anticipated event that provides a vibrant and exciting view into the artists' atelier. With any luck, it'll take place as planned, on the first weekend in November with nearly 75 other artists in South Orange and Maplewood. In 2020 the Tour was outside on front lawns, driveways, and sidewalks. And then, the election results came out, and people were so happy they were dancing in the streets.

Here is a view of the cork wall inside my studio. You can see my trusty cuckoo clock on the right. It helps to keep me focused!

This year I hope to be participating from inside my studio and sharing where the actual magic happens. When you walk through the door, the party starts. Right away, you can tell the Wild Cherry Art studio is a happy place. It's bright, colorful, and fun. The vibe is always high, the artwork is eye-popping, and I'm a hoot! I love gabbing with collectors old and new and sharing a personal connection.

I look forward to welcoming you into my creative sanctuary!

The South Orange Director of Cultural Affairs managed and executed most of the studio tour tasks. Surprisingly, two years ago, the town eliminated this position and, with it, all support for the Studio Tour. As a result, the 2020 tour was accomplished by 100% volunteers and one leadership role. This year, unfortunately, we have no leader and no support. We are a small handful of artists, and we need your help with: 

• planning and organizing

• publicizing

• graphic design

• fundraising

• artist relations

• town relations

• website maintenance and troubleshooting;

• and a few other items.

If you or anyone you know can help, please contact me. You’ll be a hero!

This was the set up, inside, two years ago during the Studio Tour. You can see where the drums were set up for the band’s performance.

In connection with the Tour, I'll be hosting a private party for my collectors the week before. Because you're on the Wild Cherry Art A-List, you can make an appointment to see the studio and put dibs on any piece of artwork before the tour dates by setting up an appointment.

Have a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend. Have lotsa fun!

Love,
Leslie