Have you been with me since the beginning of this wild adventure?.

I realized last week that I have been publishing a blog twice a month for four years. I learned that you should start before you’re ready, practice makes better, and I don’t need any freaking AI! I’m republishing the entire first blog because it was pretty good right out of the gate. I still use the practice I explain below, and miracles happen when I’m consistent with it. I greatly appreciate you for reading, and I hope you will continue to follow me here because social media sucks. META, which is Facebook, has disabled my account by limiting my ability to post, comment, follow, share, create events, or accept new friends. Email me if you want to know what’s up, and please share my blog with your friends and family. I’m super excited for my residency in France next month and I don’t want you to miss a thing!

“People who have the capacity to lean fully into joy have one variable in common: They practice gratitude.”
–Brené Brown, Ph.D.

I’m not saying that you need to drink to feel gratitude! I am grateful that this commission has led to a whole series of paintings, lots of positive responses, several more sales and now prints!

If you want to feel more joy in your daily life practicing gratitude can get you there. It is one of the most powerful practices I use to keep me feeling positive and happy. Even in the midst of tremendous challenges, gratitude can help you see the light. I started by keeping a small notebook by the side of my bed and writing about three things that went well that day. Even on a day that I didn’t feel very accomplished, I could find three things that went well. Like getting out of bed or having a conversation with a friend or washing the dishes. If you are new to practicing gratitude this is a great place to start.

I'm grateful for this commission from my beloved collector, Rosa Pellicer. She's a beautiful soul and I feel a deep connection to her. I'm happy to create artwork that inspires her and others to live with joy and wonder.r.

My practice has changed over time. Now I use May MacCarthy’s Gratitude formula. It has taken my practice to the next level. It helps me move through places when I feel stuck and it helps with manifesting things in my life that I desire. 

All you need is a dedicated notebook, something to write with, and your imagination. This is how you do it:

• Listen to or read something uplifting for 10 minutes

• Write a letter to whatever your higher power is for things in your life that you want to improve or manifest

• Hit all the major areas; relationships, finances, fun, health, connection to your higher power, and anything else you are looking to improve.

• Write about each one as if it is just the way you want it to be and you are grateful. Example: Dear Universe, I am so grateful that my relationships with my children are harmonious and joyful. We respect and support each other without judgment. We enjoy spending time together and have wonderful open conversations. I feel so much love for them and from them.

• When you are finished writing, read it out loud with a lot of emotion.

• Then spend 10 minutes meditating or imaging how wonderful it feels now that it is all as you want it to be

• During the day, look for guidance or follow your intuition when things pop up that will help you fulfill your desires.

• At the end of the day notice all the things that occurred to get you closer to your desired goals, feel gratitude for them, and thank your higher power for guiding you.

• Repeat daily.

I am grateful to Theresa Pettersen-Chu for purchasing this painting when I shifted from a graphic design business to fine art. She believed in me and started the ball rolling on my thriving new business.

If you are on the fence about this, I challenge you to try this method and just see what happens. You never know, you might just manifest the life of your dreams. If you give it a try, please let me know how it goes.

With love and gratitude,
Leslie

Abracadabra, And Just Like Magic, I’m Heading to Paris!

“Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Andi and I met when we attended Parson’s School of Design in New York City. She went to Paris to study and never returned! Now we’re teaming up and having a show in her neck of the woods.

Remember, as a kid, how you fantasized about creating a remarkable life filled with exciting possibilities? I hope you're living yours. As for me, I'm living my dreams of becoming an artist and a rockstar. I encourage you to go for it. You get one chance–make it count!

Abracadabra is from the Aramaic phrase avra kehdabra, meaning “I will create as I speak.” I’m speaking about my desires and possibilities. Many things that I thought were beyond my grasp are coming into being—like traveling to somewhere beautiful for an artist's residency. I have several artist friends who have recommended residencies they've attended. Most were either very expensive or very competitive. But I kept asking myself, "Why not me?" I started researching and imagining an incredibly expansive experience. Out of the blue, my artist friend, Sandra Charlap, asked me to meet with her, and she invited me to join her on a retreat at the NG Art Creative Residency in Provence. This prestigious residency offers a breathtaking environment, a 17th-century Provençal olive mill nestled in the foothills of the stunning Alpilles mountains. I filled out the application, had the interview, and guess what? I'm heading to the South of France in September with Sandra to deepen my creative practice at this spectacular program. Check out the incredible digs. Click through to see where we’ll be staying:

After I complete the residency, I will be high-speed training back to Paris for a show with my long-time artist friend, Andi Ikpatchki. The Show, entitled "The World is Your Oyster," opens Thursday, September 19th, at the Galerie Roshana, 120 Rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris.

Meet me in Paris and attend my opening. It's an absolute dream come true–just like magic. I can't wait to share this incredible opportunity with you. Anything can happen if you believe. Stay focused on the life you want to live and manifest all the wondrous experiences waiting for you. Go get yours! It's probably in Paris in September!

Let me know if you want to meet up before I head to Paris for some summer fun! See you soon.

Love,
Leslie

Did you know, if you had fun you won?

“Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life; it is the pathway to it.”
— Martha N. Beck

Start the year with a splash of Wild Cherry Art. You’ve already won, because it’s fun!

Happy New Year! 2024 is looking brighter than ever. We are already heading out of the darkness and back into the light. Day by day, we get a few more minutes of sunshine. I hope your holidays were filled with love and laughter, and now you're all refreshed and revved up for a spectacular year!

Here I’m having brunch at Antoine’s, the oldest family-run business in the United States, nestled in the French Quarter. If you haven’t been, you need to eat here. Before you go to NOLA, hit me up and I’ll give you a list for everything!

I've got plans to head back to New Orleans in January. You know it's one of my all-time favorite cities. The magic of NOLA is palpable. Visiting the Big Easy always feels like a recharge. Meet me there, and we'll get oysters! I'll gather more inspo for paintings and new original music. It's effortless to be excited and inspired by the incredible southern hospitality mixed with decadent food, fantastic live music everywhere, steamy weather, go cups, European architecture, fascinating history, and bars that never close. It's SO fun!

Let’s have more fun this year! In 2023 I had lotsa fun at a wooden shoe factory in Holland.

That's my word for the year—FUN! If it doesn't feel a smidge fun, I have difficulty even getting started. I believe fun is the secret sauce that helps us accomplish more, with ease and joy. So maybe when you're feeling stuck this year, try a more playful approach to your challenges. A childlike perspective can restore wonder to your problems and hope for the outcome. Don't forget—"If you had fun, you won!"

If you need more ways to add fun to your life, visit me in the studio, and I'll help you get the party started!

Wishing you and yours an abundance of blissful blessings and loads of fun in 2024.

Love,
Leslie
xo

Do you want an exciting behind-the-scenes special date?

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”
— Mary Lou Cook

The amazing winners of the costume contest, Kyle Huntsberry of Milk Honey Soul and Joey Huntsberry won a Limited Edition Wild Cherry Art Giclee print, “The Monster Lies Within.”

You know how it is when you focus on accomplishing something big? You have a lot of balls in the air and want to keep them all spinning. Well, this week is one of those weeks for me. It's the culmination of months of work. This past Saturday night, I hosted my SOMA Artists Studio Tour Preview pARTy, which was spooktackular! The art was on display, the band rocked the house with eight new songs, the costumes were poppin', and the cocktails had 'em droppin'!

Tonight is the opening reception of "Unveiled," a curated show of more than 50 artists participating in this year's Studio Tour. Meet the artists and see a sampling of their work to help you decide whose studios you'd like to visit on Saturday and Sunday. I hope to see you there.

Then, the big finale is the 20th Anniversary SOMA Artists Studio Tour. I'll be hosting the incredibly talented and super fun Sandra Charlap at my studio. Visit us both and see our new work, buy a painting to expand or start your collection, or pick up a special gift for someone. We'll have a drink, a nosh, and enjoy catching up with you. There will be five additional artists to visit on Warren Court: Sybil Archibald, Jay Pingree, Wendy Bellerman, Christopher Boudewyns, and Fred Courts. So make sure to put Warren Court on your "must-stop" list!

We were a band of circus performers and we entertained the crowd at the pARTy. Stuart Klinger (the lion, on guitar) I (the ringmaster) played rhythm guitar and sang, Glenn Healy (the strongman) on drums, and Phil Cohen (the clown) on bass. We rocked!

Come spend some time with me in the studio. Click the button below and make a date with me! I'll show you the new collections, heck, I'll show you all the collections! You can get a special private behind-the-scenes look, and I'll play and sing you a song. I'm looking forward to getting together.

See you real soon.
Love,
Leslie

How to listen to your heart and live your dreams...

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”
–Oprah Winfrey

This is a life size, chalk pastel, self portrait I did for my application to Parson’s School of Design. This body has been through a lot. I’m grateful for every moment and I am making my health a priority.

I miss you. I’ve been out of touch for a minute because I’ve been dealing with some health issues. My doctors have been awesome and everything has gotten sorted out. I’m ready to pivot back to my routines and focus on what brings me joy, so I am reintroducing myself to you.

As a fine artist and owner of Wild Cherry Art, I’m on a mission to cultivate joy through art, music, and by living in the spirit of appreciation. 

I started creating art when I was a child. By age 7, I was painting in oils and playing the piano. I was only interested in things I felt passionate about. While other kids were partying in high school, I was home painting, drawing, and making music. I also snuck into the Fastlane or the Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Friday nights to see live bands. I wanted to be a painter and a rockstar when I grew up.

Most of my time in in high school was spent in my bedroom painting and listening to and making music. The rest of the time I was working for Bamberger’s at the Stagelight counter, driving around in my super cool cherry-red Mustang convertible, or seeing live music.

Graduating with a BFA from Parsons School of Design set me on an exciting course. I painted dozens of murals across the country for Betsey Johnson, worked for several prestigious design firms, and held art director positions at major publishing houses. I’ve won several awards for excellence in graphic design and illustration, working for top-shelf clientele. Below is a gallery of a few book jackets I designed over the years.

With my husband’s untimely death, I suddenly became a single parent of two young children. I felt forced to re-evaluate my purpose and embarked on a healing journey. My commitment to following my dreams strengthened. I had seen how fleeting life can be firsthand. It was time to get back to painting and fulfill that dream. I realized that I had been given a gift that I must share. It’s never too late. The time is now! 

I pivoted from graphic design back to my first love of painting. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. There is always a cherry painting on the easel. They are my favorite metaphor for life with pits, stems and the sweet juicy fruit! Life is a bowl of cherries!

My work can help you live a more connected, better quality of life. Wild Cherry Art lifts your spirits and connects you to joy and wonder. How awesome is that?! I use decades of painting, drawing, graphic design, and spiritual practices to inform my artistic process to delight and inspire you with exciting, vibrant works of art. Art is a powerful force that unites, heals, and enriches our lives. Browse through my available creations, notice how you feel, listen to your heart, and see if anything connects you to joy and wonder. That’s the one! Or contact me to come for a fun studio visit or to create a meaningful custom piece of art.

Painting in Memorial Park this past May. I love painting Plein Air (outside) in nature. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the light.

Following my dreams lets me maintain a playful revelry in my approach to life. The possibilities are endless. Painting lights my fire. I continue to make music because I love it. I’m not sneaking into clubs anymore, I’m playing at them! My deep connections with friends and family fill my heart. I delight in traveling and live each day (well, most) to the fullest. When you follow your heart, your life is filled with meaning. Let my story and artwork inspire you to freely express your creative nature and inner radiance and explore your dreams and desires. It’s never too late to start. I’ve restarted several times. Life is a bowl of cherries enjoy all the good parts and spit out the pits!

Love you lots,
Leslie
xo

Want to walk on a glacier, see an active volcano, and float in a geothermal bath?

“A good friend listens to your adventures. Your best friend makes them with you.”
—Unknown

I just flew in from Iceland, and boy, are my arms tired! I had a spectacular trip with my bestie, Leah. 💖 Earth Day was Saturday, April 22nd, and I’ reflected on how Iceland forever changed my relationship with Earth. The beauty, majesty, and the power of our planet was more palpable than anywhere I'd ever been before. There's a backdrop of panoramic snow-capped volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, thermal pools, and glaciers in the distance, with otherworldly lava fields sprawling as far as the eye can see toward the fierce ocean. The energy and life force on the third rock from the sun was powerfully present. It was like being on Earth long before it evolved into this lush, dense planet we currently inhabit. 

We had a Northern Lights Tour reservation with our Guide, Thor, on the night we arrived. Unfortunately, the forecast called for clouds. So we asked Thor if we could move our adventure to the following night. When we had clear skies and, according to Thor, perfect conditions for Aurora Borealis sightings! We were only about 40 minutes outside Reykjavik when Thor pulled over and announced, "There it is!" And I was like, "What, that cloud?" He insisted that this was it and if we were lucky, it would get bigger, brighter, and have movement and possibly colors. And if it really "blooms," it could ultimately converge across the entire sky in a swirling vortex above our heads. And guess what? That's precisely what happened. 

The blurry pictures of the Northern Lights are from my Iphone. The beautiful clear images were taken by Thor.

The next day we got up and headed out before daybreak to catch a bus that would take us on an all-day adventure on the south coast. The farthest destination was Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. A delightful Icelandic curmudgeon barista overheard us talking about our upcoming adventure and told us, "The real name of the lagoon is Jökulsárlón and the beach is Breiðamerkursandur, which no one can say. Then a travel agent marketed them as Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon, and now they take busloads of people out there every day." Well, it was fabulous! We got our diamonds, glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, snow angels, icebergs, black beaches, yummy seafood soup, and a few tree jokes from our delightful guide Mia. I had some Brenevin-the Icelandic "health tonic." at our lunch stop in Vik. It was a magical day.

We spent our last few days in Iceland at Silica Hotel on The Blue Lagoon. It was worth every penny! The hotel pool was essentially the Blue Lagoon. We still went over to the proper lagoon and had in-water-floating massages. While basking in the heavenly milky geothermal bath, we enjoyed three facemasks—Exfoliating Lava, deep cleansing Silica, and nourishing Moss Algae. We had a glass or two of Cava while floating around, surrounded by steam, sky, lava formations, and mountains. We went to both restaurants, Michelin-starred Moss one night and Lava the next. Moss was excellent, but Lava gets our stars! 

The marketing says The Blue Lagoon is one of the 25 wonders of the world. I'm still trying to find that list! But it's definitely on my Top Ten list. We loved it so much that we went back on our stop-over, flying home. We stayed at the Northern Lights Inn for one night, and, low and behold; we saw the Aurora Borealis again! The NLI offers a wake-up call if the Lights show up overnight, and of course, they did! 

I'm excited to return to my art studio with fresh eyes, new experiences, and magnificent inspiration. I am grateful for my adventures and all the beautiful souls I connected with along the way. Life is so precious, and every moment is a gift. I'll be at my easel painting colorful, inspired acrylic paintings. If there is anything in particular, you'd like to see me paint, let me know! Come over, see the new work in the studio, and I'll tell you more about Iceland. I wanna go back in the summer!

Love,
Leslie

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE WARREN COURT ART WALK—JUNE 3RD & 4TH!

How to replace your fear and regret with sparks of joy and limitless possibilities

Whatever has happened to you in your past has no power over this present moment, because life is now.
—Oprah Winfrey

The new 2022 Nutcracker painting, “The Boys in the Band’” is now available. Visit the studio or email for purchasing information.

The holidays are here! I love collecting presents throughout the year. If I see something that'll resonate with one of my peeps, as I'm traveling or out and about, I buy it and put it in my secret stash. When the season of giving rolls around, I have lots of meaningful gifts to share. It's way better than trying to find things last minute to show someone they matter.

Party season has begun! Stop by the studio and we’ll continue the fun!

If you still need to finish your holiday shopping and you'd like to give something meaningful, I can help. I'm offering you the present. Most of us are not living in the moment but regretting the past or fearing the future. Wild Cherry Art ushers you back to the present moment and connects you to joy and wonder. Your fear and regret will be replaced with sparks of joy and limitless possibilities through bold imagery, bright color, and lots of contrast. How about that for a great gift!

“Holiday Cherries on Silver” on the mantle. 30 x 30 Inches acrylic and Mica on gallery wrapped archival canvas. Contact for purchasing information.

The studio is filled with new paintings, as well as my new Nutcracker Bags and Classic Wild Cherry Totes. Gift certificates are available if you'd like to give someone the gift of a custom piece of art. Set up an appointment to visit me in the studio before the end of the year and make your selections in person.

Nutcracker and Wild Cherry Art Totes. Sturdy, dependable, and beautiful patent leather sides and bottom, leather straps, fully lined, waterproof with two interior pockets for all your shopping needs. Email to purchase.

Wishing you and yours peace, love, and good health throughout the holiday season.

Love,
Leslie