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!

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.

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.

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





 

Would you like to co-create a masterpiece for yourself?

 
 

“A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.”
—Hedy Lamarr

 

Click on the image to read the article.

"Canvas Rebel" interviewed me for their magazine. Their first question was, "What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?” Hands down, my most meaningful projects are commissions. I walk my clients through an in-depth process to create a canvas filled with layer upon layer of artful alchemy infused with my client's joys, hopes, and dreams. The reaction of every client has been priceless. They are overwhelmed and often moved to tears of joy. I'm grateful to be trusted with their most precious feelings. This is the best and most fulfilling work I've ever done.

My client, seen here, is adding a secret note to her husband. This adds to the meaning of the piece.

One example was a surprise anniversary commission. My client wanted me to create something special for her husband. He mentioned a sketch I posted on Facebook of a Rickenbacher 4001 bass. He told her that this was his very first guitar. When we started discussing the project, I asked her how many bands her husband played in because I thought putting all the band names around the guitar would make it more meaningful and personal to him. The whole family helped get me intel by asking him one evening at dinner to share all the names of the bands he'd been in over the years. His wife came over and painted a private note to him in the underpainting. She shared his Spotify playlist with me, which I always ask for. It helps me to get into their specific zone. This was the first time I had an extensive listening experience with the band Dream Theater. Ultimately, when my client revealed her surprise gift, her husband was utterly overwhelmed. Priceless.

Here is the almost final painting with names of all the bands he was in as well as some secret additions to make it more meaningful.

If you'd like to schedule a free 15-minute information session to learn about co-creating a commissioned piece of transformational art, click the button.

I hope to see you soon. Wishing you and yours a fabulous February!
Love,
Leslie
xo

 

Five things you can do to shift negative thoughts to positive.

 
 

“If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough.”
—Oprah Winfrey

 
 
Acrylic painting of a vibrant fall landscape

Field of Possibilities is an acrylic painting that connects you to the powerful beauty found in nature. Connecting to nature fills you with ease and joy. This is a painting of Wightman’s farm in Morristown, New Jersey.

 

What do you want out of life? Focusing on what you want your life to be rather than what it isn’t, has the power to release a lot of negative thoughts. It shifts your thinking from stress, anxiety, sadness, worry, guilt, resentment, blame, frustration, dread, or lack to possibility, hope, ease, and happiness. 

We live in strange times, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the negativity flying around. Gaining clarity can help us shift from fear back to ease and joy. First, we must remember that negative thoughts aren’t facts. They’re just thoughts, and thoughts don’t exist outside of your mind. By accepting them as thoughts, you’re telling yourself that they’re not real and that you don’t have to act on them. That helps you to stop obsessing over them.

What else can help you release negative thoughts? Try these tips:

1. AWARENESS The best way to understand our feelings is to feel them once we’re aware of them. The first step towards changing any behavior is becoming aware of it. Acknowledge your emotions and make mental shifts over time. A meditation practice can be super helpful to become aware of your inner dialogue. 

2. TAKE CHARGE Emotions don’t just happen – they originate from thoughts, beliefs, memories, and experiences. Tell yourself a different story concerning those events if you want to change your emotional state. You get to remember things any way you want. Remember it from a positive point of view, one that uplifts or gives you hope. A belief happens when you tell it to yourself repeatedly. Tell yourself something good and create positive affirmations

3. NO JUDGEMENT Let go of judgments. It’s easy for us to judge others and ourselves. Instead of comparing yourself to your peers, list the good things about yourself and your life. Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones from your list. Think of the positive traits you or the other person may have.

4. GRATITUDE For me, the best way to move from negative thoughts to positive ones is by practicing gratitude. I use a technique called the "Gratitude Formula" from the book by May McCarthy with the same name. This helps me conquer anxiety, move through procrastination or blocks, release fear and sadness, and embrace possibility and hope. The Gratitude Formula is a practice that makes way for joy. Read about it in this article, Strengthen Your Ability To Perceive More Joy.

5. ART! Lastly, to stay in that place of gratitude, place visual reminders in your home to help you stay uplifted and inspired. Beautiful and meaningful art on your wall has the power to move you emotionally. It helps keep the focus on beauty in your world and in your life. The more you see beauty, the more beauty you’ll see, and that’ll kick negativities ass!

 

Commissioning a piece of art adds a meaningful focal point in your home to connect you to uplifting and joyful emotions. I created this piece in 2021 for my collector's stunning home.

 

How do you deal with negativity? What helps you to banish negative thoughts? Please share your tips in the comments. That way we can help each other to shine.

Stay positive and enjoy all your days, whatever comes.
Love,
Leslie