How do you create a great logo that gives insight to your brand?

“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.”
—Georgia O’Keeffe

This is a speed art video of me painting the wild cherry for my new logo. Click the arrow in the middle of the video to watch me paint!

For years I have been searching for the perfect logo design. As a painter, illustrator, and graphic designer, I had high expectations for my logo. It would be a visual representation of me, and as a visual artist, I felt it had to be exceptional. I wanted it to be fun, bright and beautiful.

When I had cherry red hair my friend, Zeet Peabody, gave me the nickname Cherry-o.

To begin with, let me tell you about the name Wild Cherry Art. One of my first words was cherry. When I was born, my parents lived in Cherry Hill, NJ. I've always loved cherries. My first car was cherry red. My hair was bright red for a time in the late 80s when I earned the nickname "Cherry-o" from my friend Zeet. I've been "Wild Cherry" for such a long time. It made sense for me to incorporate it into the name of my business. 

For the visuals, I tried: 

• "Wild" type,

• Abstract cherries

• Graphic cherries

• Distressed type

• Distressed cherries

• "Wild" colors

• Nature-inspired type

I explored all of the above and more, but none of these approaches rung any of my bells. I went with one of my cherry paintings paired with simple, tasteful type. Years later, I recently realized that my Quarantini technique would make a great "Wild Cherry" and Voila! I created my new logo! Here were the finalists:

What I've learned from this process:

• Never give up

• Start before you're ready

• It doesn't have to be perfect.

• You can iterate along the way.

• Remain open to new directions

• If you keep searching, you'll eventually find something that feels right...for now!

I am a classic girl with strong values. I am a little edgy and always looking for fun. I’m definitely an out of the box kind of person and artist. I bring all this to my business and want my logo to reflect that. Below you can see the two winners of my logo challenge. I will use it as long as I feel like it works for me.

This is the winner for a vertical orientation. It’s a classic type treatment with a bold edgy image. Very on brand for me. Also it will make a fantastic business card–solid red on the back with only wildcherryart.

This is the horizontal winner. I like the same classic type here as in the vertical version. In this version the bold edgy art is bursting out of the box. This concept is also very on brand for me.

You know my cherry philosophy, right? Cherries have stems, leaves and are filled with pits. They also yield sweet, juicy, delicious fruit. In life, as with cherries, I encourage you to eat the wild ones, enjoy the fruit and spit out the pits!

Have a cherry day.
Love,
Leslie

Living your dreams can be as easy as listening to your heart

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

This is a still life I did in high school. I became very accomplished while other kids where out having fun. To me making art and making music was more fun than any party.

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 very young child. At 7 years, 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 playing the piano. I also went to the Fastlane in Asbury Park on Friday nights to see live bands. I wanted to be a painter and a rockstar when I grew up.

This is a life size, chalk pastel, self portrait I did for my application to Parson’s School of Design.

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 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 samples of book jackets I’ve designed over the years.

With my husband’s sudden and untimely death, I abruptly became a single parent of two young children. I began to re-evaluate my purpose and embarked on a journey of healing. My commitment to following my dreams became even more strengthened. I had seen how fleeting life can be firsthand. It was time to get back to painting and fulfill that dream. It's never too late. The time is now! I realized that I had been given a gift that I must share. I want to help you to live a more connected better quality of life with my work. Now 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. My goal is to elevate the world’s vibration through a joyful, divinely inspired visual journey, one painting at a time.

"Orange You Loving These Cherries?" 30 x 30 Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. A recent cherry painting. I’ve always got a cherry painting or two in the studio. Life is like a bowl of ‘em!

Following my dreams has allowed me to maintain a sense of playful revelry in my approach to life. I continue to make music and I don’t have to sneak into clubs anymore. I love to garden, look forward to traveling again and live each day to the fullest. When you’re following your heart, your life is filled with meaning. 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. Life is a bowl of cherries, enjoy all the good parts and spit out the rest!

Love you lots,
Leslie
xo

Follow your heart when it's time to start again, and keep going.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato

These are the new thumbnail sketches for my Quarantune Series. Rickenbacker bass, Telecaster, Stratacaster, Les Paul, Songwriter, SG, Saxophone, Trumpet and Fiddle. More detailed sketches next and then onto the canvas.

With the recent loss of my father, it feels like a time of new beginnings for me. When something ends it leaves space for something else. I am choosing to embrace it with an exciting creative project. I've been itching to begin a new body of artwork, and low and behold, I was inspired to create a series of instrument paintings. This seems like a natural undertaking for me, so much so, I am surprised I hadn't thought of it before. I've started by collecting reference images of my favorite guitars, horns, and various percussive and string instruments. The next step is sketching them out, first as thumbnails, then more detailed sketches, and finally, I will move to the canvas. I am going to do them similarly to my Quaranitinis. Since we are still living in Covid times, they will be called Quarantunes.

Music has been a part of my life since I was a little girl, just like art. I started playing the piano when I was 7 years old. When I was studying, at Parson's School of Design, I was the lead vocalist in a band. We could never keep a bass player, so my great friend and drummer, Glenn Healy, bought me a bass for my birthday, and Voila, I became a singer and a bass player. Years later, when I left New York City to move to a nearby suburb, I missed playing music. I was not enjoying playing bass without a band, so I started learning how to play guitar. I also started studying voice at Tim Welch Vocal Studio. If you ever wanted to learn how to sing, Tim is your man! I continue to write and perform any chance I get. Music is in my soul.

John Coltrane’s music inspired this Saxophone sketch.

This project will be a combination of my two greatest loves, next to family and friends. Whenever something comes from a place of love, it is sure to be magical. I am excited to listen to Les Paul while I am panting the Les Paul, Chet Baker, my father's favorite, while I am painting the Trumpet and, of course, John Coltrane while I am painting the Saxophone. If you did not already know, my son is named Coltrane.

You will get the first look and have first dibs at purchasing any of the new works because you are on my A-list. The A is for AWESOME! You might want to mention that to any music fans if you think they will be interested. I look forward to sharing my progress with you.

Whenever you are feeling lost or unsure of your path, I encourage you to lean into what you love and I believe the inspiration will find its way to your heart.

Lots and lots of love to you always.
Rock on!

Leslie

Stop looking for happiness in a prescription bottle. Know where to look.

"By the practice of meditation, you will find that you are carrying within your heart a portable paradise."
—Paramahansa Yogananda

I Am Safe and Grounded. 24 x 36 Inches Acrylic and Carnelian Gem Stones on 2.5 inch deep Gallery Wrapped Canvas This paintiing is part of a collection I did on each of the Chakras. This one is based on the Root Chakra. I meditated on balancing and opening each Chakra before I began painting. There is a base layer underneath with all the words that came to me during my meditation.

Meditation saved my life. After my husband died in 2012, I spent three years cycling through every antidepressant available. I kept asking my doctor what was the expectation when someone's husband drops dead in front of one's children? They insisted I should be doing better than I was. At the three-year mark, I had been hospitalized once for three weeks due to an adverse reaction to Zoloft and Wellbutrin, and I had several overnight emergency room visits for negative reactions to other medications. A psychiatrist deemed me unresponsive to drugs and recommended ECT–Electro Convulsive Therapy, commonly known as shock treatment. There was no way I was going to have ECT. I was the sole caregiver for my two young children, I couldn't be in the hospital for two months, and I didn't have anyone to drive me three times a week for two months as an out-patient. I was at a loss. I felt more depressed and powerless, and the doctors made me feel like I would live in this state forever if I didn't undertake ECT. I started praying to God for help.

And then a series of miracles happened. My therapist said, "I think it's time for you to get in touch with your spirituality." I responded with, "what's that going to do for me?" I didn't even think about her comment until later that day when my best friend, Leah, said, "I think we need to go to Kripalu so you can get in touch with your spirituality." I responded with, "huh, that s what my therapist said." The next day another friend called me and said she was starting a spiritual book group and wanted me to be a part of it. She thought it could really help my healing journey. Well, I believe that three is the magic number, so at that point, I called Leah and said, "Let's book Kripalu." So off we went to Kripalu, and I began my meditation practice. I also I began exploring my spirituality with my therapist, and I joined the book group,

This is the front lawn of the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health looking out over the Stockbridge Bowl Lake. in Massachusetts. For five decades Kripalu has been a leader in yoga- and mindfulness-based education.

I had always dabbled in meditation, but I would tell people I sucked at it. I was never able to quiet my mind. Finally, I realized that that is why meditation is so important. The thoughts never stop. If we don't learn not to listen to every thought, the mind controls us. Our brain is constantly looking to solve problems. It's a survival instinct. So even when there are no problems, the mind looks for problems to fix. Now I realize that meditation is not about quieting the mind; it's about not following the thoughts. There will always be more thoughts!

After a long weekend at Kripalu and then a week more of meditation at home, I had an epiphany. I didn't need drugs to feel better. But I did need help—I struggled with clutter, bookkeeping, motivation, self-care, and socialization. I decided to spend the money I had been spending on doctors and medications and instead hire an organizer, a bookkeeper, and a private trainer. I also got a part-time job working for Whole Foods as a sign maker. I started observing the thoughts that weren't helping me and listening to my inner guidance. It has been a game-changer!

Cherry sign I painted while working at Whole Foods.

My meditation practice has helped me to respond thoughtfully rather than be reactive to triggers. It has helped me to gain clarity on my purpose. It has helped me to reconnect to a life of meaning and opened the path to joy again. It helps me to focus on what I can do and what I want to create. I know it helps a slew of medical conditions, you can google it! I meditate daily and always before I start painting. Meditation helps me to tap into that place of joy and intuitive guidance while I am working.

Here are some meditation apps and podcasts that helped me to get started:

• Meditation Oasis podcast
• Headspace App
• Insight Timer App
• Abraham Hicks VortexAttraction App
• Chopra Meditation & Well-being App

Flowing With Love 9 x 12 Inches Acrylic on Cotton Canvas. I was meditating on opening to love for a recent commission. During the process of painting this one I was really in the flow of love.

Now I realize that our mind is like the clear blue sky. It is always present. Sometimes we experience small wispy clouds or big white fluffy ones, and sometimes there are great big dark storm clouds with lightning and roaring thunder. Behind all those clouds, the blue sky is always there. Meditation helps me to stay connected to that still place of being the blue sky and observing all the weather patterns rolling by.

I hope you'll take even 5 minutes a day for a week and give meditation a try. It has 100% changed my life for the better, and I would love to share this powerful practice with you. If you want more tips or guidance, please reach out. I'm happy to help.

Wishing you peace of mind,
Leslie

How I dealt with my latest challenge could help you too.

“The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too” –Vincent van Gogh

Cosmic Tide Acrylic on 12 x 12 inch Archival cotton canvas. We are all in the cosmic flow. Don’t fight it. Ride the wave with openness and joy.

You probably enjoy reading my blog because often you find it uplifting or inspiring. I like to focus on what we can do and I encourage you to connect to your joy. However, we all go through periods in life that are very challenging. The path is curved and the altitude changes often. Sometimes the terrain causes us to work harder and navigate large obstacles. 

I’ve had some very large obstacles like the loss of my husband, Chris Nadler, in 2012. I had never dealt with a challenge of this magnitude and it knocked me down for a long time. Currently, I’m navigating the steep decline of my father's health. It's causing a lot of pain to ripple through my family. It's interesting that now I see my husband's tragic sudden death as a gift. He was out hiking with our beautiful children, then 10 and 12, on a spectacular day. He was in the prime of his life. He died of a massive heart attack instantly. No pain, no suffering, he just left. The children and I experienced tremendous suffering. We were in shock. It felt like we were on a boat in the arctic that capsized in the icy water and we were drowning in fear and freezing with uncertainty. 

My father's path has been different. He has led a rich and full life. However, he has been suffering for years and now it has reached an unbearable peak. It is hard to witness someone suffer. It is hard to witness my mother suffer in the process. My brother has been their rock. He lives close to them and has been very helpful. He visits them both very often and does whatever he can. Being farther away, I visit less often but have long conversations with my father on the phone and speak to my mother several times a day. I try to support them emotionally and by helping with tasks and phone calls to doctors and caregivers. 

I have gained some wisdom to share with you. I have been on a Spiritual Journey for over 9 years. I believe that life is eternal. This body is born and it dies but our souls don't perish. At the core of all these experiences, we can find peace. The suffering we feel or witness can open our hearts and challenge our thinking. We may emerge better, kinder, more compassionate people. We are best served by being very kind to ourselves and practicing self-care, for ourselves and for those we are supporting.

The following is a list of practices that have helped me get through the tough times and I encourage you to keep it handy if you ever find yourself navigating rough waters:

• Get proper rest

• Eat nutritious foods

• Meditate

• Practice gratitude

• Exercise

• Feel the feelings

• Stay in the present moment

• Breathe and/or breathwork practice

• Get support from professionals, peer support and/or clergy

• Write in a journal

• Walk in nature

• Be of service to others

• Read uplifting books or articles

• Receive or give hugs

• Do small projects to change your focus and feel accomplished

• Express your feelings through an art project

• Listen to uplifting music

• Use an aromatherapy diffuser

• Do some EFT tapping

• Watch a feel-good movie

• Use humor to lighten the mood (my dad’s favorite)

• Connect with friends and loved ones

• Never give up on your dreams

The happiest I had ever seen my dad was on my wedding day. He was beaming with pride. When he became a grandfather his happiness leveled up beyond what I could have imagined.

It's not the wins that make us successful in life, it's how we deal with the challenges. It's easy to feel great when the weather is sunny but sailing through the storms and making it back to shore are the real tests of character. I like using ocean metaphors here because my father was a fisherman. It has been his lifelong passion only surpassed by the love of his grandchildren. In the end, it's our relationships that provide the most fulfillment. I encourage you to live boldly, love fiercely, and follow your dreams as my dad did.

Thank you for reading.
I love you,

Leslie

P.S. At the time of this posting my father has found peace. His memory will forever be a blessing. Click the first button to read about his life. Click the second button to see him in action and be sure to watch till the end.

How to let the good times roll this year

"Take your burdens to the Mardi Gras, Let the music wash your soul
You can mingle in the street, You can jingle to the beat, of Jelly Roll"     
–Paul Simon

Mardi Gras Crawfish on Gold 30 x 30 inch Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Cotton Canvas. Spicy, hot boiled crawfish on a garlicky, spicy, purple potato. When you figure all the love that went into creating them, their time growing, catching them, cooking them, and me joyously eating them and painting them, that’s a whole lotta love! .

New Orleans is filled with so much fun, so much flavor, so much music, so much life! The first time I ever ate a crawfish was on my first trip to NOLA. I was 19 years old and I absolutely fell in love with the amazing city. I’ve shared my love by taking many friends and family members on trips to the Cresent City. I took my daughter to Jazzfest, in New Orleans, when she was four. I bought us each a big plate of boiled crawfish. She refused to try them. I sat her at a picnic table where I could keep an eye on her while I waited in line to get her sushi. When I returned with her sushi, the folks at the table had taught her how to eat the crawfish and she loved them! She had already eaten her entire plateful and had started working on mine! That’s my experience with crawfish—bringing families together one plateful at a time. Crawfish feel like love to me.

Mardi Gras Crawfish on Green 30 x 30 inch Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Cotton Canvas. Crawfish offer the full physical experience. They speak to all of our human senses. They have a miraculous visual, an intoxicating flavor, a mouth watering aroma, an exciting snap sound when you twist off the tail, promising the sweet spicy meat and juicy head!

Right now it’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It’s an entire season, not just a day. It starts on January 6th, the twelfth night of Christmas, and continues till Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the Christian fasting season. Mardi Gras is the celebration of Carnival. A time of revelry that includes: parades, parties, music, and gastronomic indulgence all culminating on Fat Tuesday.

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to Rome, Venice, and the French House of Bourbonsin in the 17th and 18th centuries. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville came ashore 60 miles south of New Orleans. When his men realized it was the day before Fat Tuesday they named the land "Pointe du Mardi Gras". Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. In 1718 Bienville established New Orleans. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated with fancy society balls. In 1875, Louisana Governor, Henry Warmoth, signed the "Mardi Gras Act," making Fat Tuesday a legal holiday in Louisiana.

Mardi Gras Crawfish on Purple 30 x 30 inch Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Cotton Canvas. Crawfish—bringing families together one plateful at a time. Crawfish feel like love to me. The more we connect to good times and high vibes, the better our lives feel. I created this crawfish painting to cultivate joy and feed your soul.

In modern times Mardi Gras is filled with non-stop excitement. It's one giant holiday in New Orleans! Revelers wear costumes, masks, and bead necklaces caught from previous years’ floats. They dress in purple green and gold—purple for "justice," green for "faith" and gold for "power. Decorated in these colors, delicious King cakes are traditionally eaten on Mardi Gras. According to Christianity, Jesus first showed himself to the three wise men, the kings, on January 6th and that's why we eat king cakes and that’s when the entire season begins. A small plastic baby is hidden inside each King cake. If you get the baby you host the party the following year.

Les Bon Temps Rouler #1 Crawfishfest 16 X 20 Acrylic on 2.5 inch deep gallery wrapped canvas.Celebrate every day like it’s Fat Tuesday. Let the good times roll!

Crawfish at the Fest 8 x 8

Crawfish Margarita 8 x 8

Every year I host a Mardi Gras pARTy. I serve crawfish pie, jambalaya, king cake, hurricanes, pralines and I put a band together so we can all shake our moneymakers to some live music! I decorate with feathers, beads, and sequined table cloths, all purple, green, and gold. This year we can’t get together but we can still celebrate with good food, great music, and some fine cocktails. If you’re in a warm region get outside and celebrate safely with friends and family. You can order some excellent NOLA classic foods online from the Louisiana Crawfish Company. They even have beads. If you’re in a cold region grab your cocktail and meet on zoom. Grab your beads and shake your moneymaker! Let me know if you need any more resources for anything New Orleans. I got you, Boo.

Above I am performing with the band and to the left are the party favors from my 2019 Mardi Gras Party.

What brings you joy? What makes your heart sing? If you answered a good old crawfish boil under the magnolia tree by a pool near the fairgrounds, we are kindred spirits! But whatever it is, cultivate the moments that bring you joy and feed your soul. That’s when you come alive. That’s what you are here to do. I am eternally grateful for the joy and wonder New Orleans has brought me and I’m thrilled to share it with you. New Orleans touches my soul so I paint images that connect me to that gorgeous and magical city. These paintings are for sale if you would like one for your home. If NOLA isn’t your bag, I’d be thrilled to create something special for you that connects you to something you love. Art is a powerful conduit to connect you to your joy. Contact me and we can get the party started.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler—Let the Good Times Roll!
Lotsa love,
Leslie

How to stay focused on your goals with art

“A fine work of art . . . has the power to silence the chatter in the mind and lift us to another place.”
― Robert McKee

This is the most recent commission I've completed. I worked with my client to create these three magnificent pieces. It was a wonderful process that transformed quite a bit as the journey unfolded.

Commissions are an amazing opportunity for me to create a custom work of art designed to connect you to a moment, a place, a person, a thing, or an emotion that delights and inspires you. It can help you stay focused on what you want to manifest in your life. I experience this process as a gift for both of us.

The process begins with a conversation in person or on zoom. We’ll discuss what sparked your interest in my work, what resonates with you, and what your ideas are. Look at my website and Instagram feed to see the variety of styles and subjects I've created thus far. I'm confident that I can bring anything to life for you. With my extensive training, I can produce any style of work you desire. Give me a challenge, and I'll exceed your expectations. I love teasing out your ideas and bringing them to life on canvas. Often people come to me with a specific concept, and after our conversation, they are filled with greater clarity and sometimes a new direction. I'll ask you a host of questions to uncover your true desires, including but not limited to the following:

• What makes you happiest
• Your most joyful moments
• Your biggest challenges
• Colors that you love and colors you resist
• What you want to manifest in your life
• Your favorite uplifting music
• What, if anything, resonates with you
spiritually
• Your preferred size and proportions
• Your budget

If you are unclear about your choice of subject matter I'll walk you through an additional process to help us reveal the perfect image for your painting

I make magic with my work. A blank canvas holds the promise of inspiration, intuitive guidance, and pure possibility. I'm one with the Universe, creating with love. How freakin' cool is that?!

These are three of the sketches I created for the above project. I worked with my client to uncover her favorite colors and textures. I learned about her happiest moments and biggest challenges. I listened to her favorite music while I created her commission. I focused on what she wants to manifest in her life. Together we created a piece of art that connects her to her soul. It’s magnificent work and I am abundantly grateful.

To begin the process I meditate on your desires. Your playlist is cued up to help me embody your spirit while I create your piece. You'll see a round of color sketches to make sure I'm in sync with your vision. Next, I'll prep your canvas by clearing the energy with Paolo Santos and Reiki. I stir love into each color as I mix the paint. My focus stays on your desires. Confident that our initial work, together, will guide me to create the perfect piece of art to lift your spirit and fill you with delight. I eagerly proceed to see what it will become. With no judgment, I just let it flow. It is essential to me that you are thrilled with the finished piece. When I see those tears of joy I know I've done my job well.

To discuss your commissioned piece, contact me here. I’d love to make some magic with you.

Have a beautiful couple weeks.

Love,
Leslie

The Money is Coming. How Will You Spend it?

Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around, encouraging young things to grow.
—Dolly Levi, “Hello Dolly”

In The Vortex. Acrylic on 12 x 12 Cotton Canvas, $650. This vibrant colored painting will lift your spirits and mesmerize you with swirling golden motion.

It's confirmed! We are going to be receiving another stimulus check. The odds are it's not going to change your life. It's not meant to pay your mortgage or your student loan. It's meant to stimulate the economy. Since this new year has not brought more ease, how about spending it on making yourself feel better? My advice, as always, is to cultivate joy. You probably can't take a bucket list trip or go out to a special restaurant, and who needs fancy new clothes to sit at home? Your options are limited right now. Here are some ideas of how to spend that check that can help you to cultivate joy:

My studio is always filled with fresh flowers and vibrant artwork. All of which help me to cultivate joy. Left, DaVinci’s Dahlia Pink #3 30 x 30 inches $1975. Right , DaVinci’s Dahlia With Ant #1 30 x 30 inches $1975.

• Spruce up your home. A beautiful piece of art infused with positive, loving energy can shift your state of being to wonder and joy. What you see in your field of vision will affect your mood and your mindset. Clean up any clutter and replace it with a few choice pieces. Get some fresh flowers or an indoor plant. If you fill your home with things that are uplifting and make you feel happy and hopeful your quality of life will improve.

• Learn something new. Learning a language or taking an online cooking class can boost your confidence, give you some new skills to connect better now, and set you up to entertain or travel better in the future. Learning anything helps to boost confidence so maybe try something new. If you are interested in learning how to paint, I’ll be offering classes outside, in my backyard, this Spring!

• Give back. Supporting your local food bank or homeless shelter will boost your oxytocin levels and provide much-needed assistance for those in need. I have four charities that I support and writing those checks or sending those payments fills me with delight and gratitude. It makes my work and the money I earn feel meaningful and more valuable.

• Pamper yourself. Get yourself some cozy slippers, a luxurious robe, an aromatherapy candle, and some lavender bath salts. Fill the tub, light the candle, put on some Enya or something similar and soak till you your muscles melt and your worries evaporate. Invest in some gooey creams and scrubs and exfoliate your cares away. Then moisturize from head to toe till you feel like a newborn baby.

Celebrate the good times with a Quarantinii! Left: Rosé Colored Glasses, Center: Lemonade Parade, Right: Margarita Musings, $650. each, 10 x 10 inches on 2.5 inches deep gallery wrapped canvas. With every Quarantini painting sold I make a $100. donation to the Rent Party Pantry. A 501(c)(3) organization that helps fight hunger in my community.

Get out there, spread that money around, and make yourself feel better for a moment. Those moments tend to lead to other moments, and before you know it, you'll have cultivated some joy. That will lead to more. We all need more joy right now. Practicing gratitude for that joy will lead to more too!

With love and appreciation,
Leslie

You think you need a resolution this year, but what you really need is a plan.

“When life hands you dirt plant seeds.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Glorious Garden” Acrylic and Gold Mica on 30 x 30 inch on Gallery Wrapped Canvas. This painting, done Plein Air, captures the vibrant colors and bold shapes in my garden. This painting brings nature into the room all year round.

Happy New Year! At the beginning of each year, I plant the seeds for what is to come. I look through seed catalogs and plan my garden. I've also been working diligently in my Law of Attraction Planner because I plan on growing and expanding in all the areas of my life that matter to me:

• Spiritual
• Personal Development
• Relationships
• Health
• Business
• Finances
• Recreation and Fun

It's still the very beginning of the year so I encourage you to evaluate how you grew last year and decide, with intention, what to grow this year. Don't make a resolution, make a plan! It's important to know that what you measure can improve. Take the time to assess where you are now and then start envisioning where you want to go. Every year, in January, I create a vision board. Here is a link to the process I use. This is my vision board for 2021:

After I get clarity on my vision, I write a gratitude statement as if my vision has already manifested. I have found it extremely helpful when I feel stuck or fearful. It helps me to stay focused on what I want, not where I am. Here's a link that will guide you how to create your own gratitude statement and the process I use called, "The Gratitude Formula," by May McCarthy.

Now that you have a tool to envision and a process to stay focused, you can plant the seeds of intention and grow a beautiful garden filled with all your dreams. This is a year to blossom into the beautiful flower that you were born to be. I look forward to seeing you bloom. Please send me pictures of your vision board. I’d love to support your dreams. Contact me if you need any additional guidance on "The Gratitude Formula" I’m here to help.

I'm grateful you’re here with me on this incredible journey. I did an end of year wrap up for my Instagram account and was shocked to see that I had over 50,000 likes and over 11,000 comments. Thank you for interacting with me so robustly. You’re the best! You’re helping me share my art and my mission with the world. Thank you for reading my blog and interacting with me on social media. I've been focusing on spreading the word, and it's working. Things are growing.

My Mission
I believe we are here to embrace our authentic nature and to live with kindness and gratitude. I create art to feed your soul and to spark wonder and joy. Cultivating joy will help you tap into your spirit and enable you to fulfill your deepest purpose.
When life presents a challenge that knocks you off your path, leaving you feeling disconnected and blue, a beautiful piece of art infused with positive, loving energy can shift your state of being back into alignment. From here can you manifest your dreams.

Wishing you and yours an abundance of blessings and dreams fulfilled in 2021. The best is yet to come.

Love,
Leslie

My gift to you. Happy holidays!

Wishing You a Season That’s Merry and Bright

What a whirlwind it has been. We made it through the most unusual year I've ever experienced. I’m grateful I've had a particularly great streak of making art and music. My gift to you, for sticking with me all these months, a downloadable PDF of my favorite Quarantini recipes. Please enjoy them responsibly and share your favorites with friends and family. 

Warmest wishes for a wonderful and healthy celebration. I hope your holidays are filled with lots of laughter and joy. May peace, love and prosperity flow to you always.

Christmas (noun): The only time of year in which one can sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of socks. Enjoy this magical time!

Love,
Leslie

Your giving makes a difference to everyone in the world.

"...our community understands the value of their spending and how it can be integral in sustaining mom and pop shops. Conscious spending within the community can contribute to neighborhood sustainability.”
– Christine Araquel, The Park’s Finest

This is a Chalk Drawing I did when I was working for Whole Foods.

I love Thanksgiving. I adore the nourishment of family, friends, and food. This year I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in a newfangled way. A guest list of 3 dear friends plus me, instead of over thirty family members including my children, brother, parents, and extended family. The four of us will be outside dining on my beautiful front porch celebrating all the abundance in our lives and giving thanks. Throughout a year of doing things in new and different ways, I am grateful that my creativity has served me well.

Although I miss my daughter tremendously, I won't miss waking up at 4am to take her and her friends to the mall on Black Friday. They would get there one way or another and it always felt safer to take her myself. Things can get crazy. Black Friday has been riding on the coat-tails of Thanksgiving ever since 1952 when It officially marked the beginning of the United States Christmas shopping season. 

I say skip the madness, relax, and let the shopping start on Saturday. Shop Small Saturday is a great way to pay it forward and continue the Thanksgiving spirit. Small businesses give most to community organizations that rely on volunteers and donations so when you support us, you help yourself as well. Of course, I want you to shop small with me. Not only will your gift of Wild Cherry Art be unique and treasured, every purchase made from Shop small Saturday through Giving Tuesday will include a set of greeting cards and a special invite to a private Holiday Zoom. Every purchase includes a donation to one of the four organizations I support:

This Magical Martini print is available under the prints tab on the website. With every purchase of Fabulous Foods Art a donation is made to the Rent Party Pantry.

• Rent Party Pantry, a 501(c)(3) organization fighting hunger in my community by providing food to local food pantries and schools and weekend food distributed to local school children dependent on the school meal benefits program. All purchases of Fabulous Foods Art include a contribution. You can donate directly here.

This Blue Light and Love print is available under the prints tab on the website. With every purchase of Faces and Figures Art a donation is made to the WConnection.

• WConnection, a 501(c)(3) community of widows, with a simple yet challenging goal of widows helping widows rebuild our lives with new tools, understanding, and hope. As a widow, this one is near and dear. I do quite a bit of volunteering for this wonderful organization. All purchases of Faces and Figures Art include a contribution. You can donate directly here.

This painting, Da Vinci’s Dahlia Pink #3 is available here. With every purchase of Landscapes and Nature Art a donation is made to the Rent Party Pantry.

• Sierra Club, a 501(c)(4) is one of the first large-scale environmental preservation organizations in the world. All purchases of Landscapes and Nature, and Monotypes include a contribution. You can donate directly here.

Be the Light Giclee print is available here. With every purchase of this print a donation is made to the NAACP.

• NAACP a 501(c)(4), is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Their mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Every purchase of the print “Be the Light” includes a contribution. You can donate directly here.

I encourage you to find out who your merchants support and how they give back to your community. When their spending aligns with your values it makes giving, this season, more meaningful. Here’s a list so you know what day it is:

Thanksgiving is Thursday November 26th
Black Friday is November 27th
Shop Small Saturday is November 28th
Artists Sunday is November 29th
Cyber Monday is November 30th
Giving Tuesday is December 1st
Where’s my Wallet Wednesday is one I made up for fun. Please spend responsibly.

I’m thankful you are on this journey with me and I appreciate you reading my newsletters and blog. May your family be safe and healthy, may your belly be full and satisfied, and may your life be filled with meaning and an abundance of blessings for which to be thankful.

With love and gratitude,
Leslie

Thanks for bringing the amazing to my weekend!

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
–William Arthur Ward

An early picture, in front of the Plein Air table, before I masked up for the wonderful day.

Thanks a million to everyone who grabbed their mask and came out to enjoy the Studio Tour, last weekend. It was the highlight of an unusual year for me. The weather was spectacular, and the election results were exciting and hopeful. I've really missed seeing everyone and it was such a great day to connect, celebrate, and share what I have been working on.

Celebrate in Pink 36 x 48 Inches of Acrylic and Pearl Mica joy. Available here.

I completed one final painting before the studio tour. I planned to paint a large frozen margarita,
but at the last minute, I switched it up and painted, “Celebrate in Pink” for President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris. I knew we would be celebrating when we finally got the results. People were dancing in the street like we won the world cup. It was amazing.

The rest of the Quarantinis were all there and they were a big hit!

Congratulations to Genevieve Rossi and Nat Clymer. You both won a "Cherry Chakra" print for coming and signing in to the tour.

Here is Genevieve stopping by the tour. This is before she knew she won!

I'd love to show you more. Email me to make an appointment for a private "Studio Tour." Depending on your preference, the weather, and the Covid19, the tour may take place in the studio, on the front porch, or on zoom.

We always have so much to be thankful for. Wishing you the happiest of holidays during this unprecedented time. Stay safe, and celebrate like you won the world cup! Why not?

Love,
Leslie

PS. I have availability to take one more commissioned piece before Christmas. If you would like me to create something special for you, email me this week to set up a chat.

Come to the only in person event this year!

“Let us meet each other with a smile, smile is the beauty of the soul.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita

Manhattan Monday 36 by 48 inches Acrylic and Mica on Gallery Wrapped Archival Canvas. Sure to add some exciting sparkle and pop to your world.

What have you been doing for the past eight months? I've been in my house, like the rest of you and, boy, I've been busy! I've created a series of cocktail paintings called Quarantinis. They are bright, splashy, and they sparkle and pop. They're far more exciting in person. Come to the SOMA Studio Tour on November 7th and 8th and see for yourself. I'll be set up on my front lawn wearing a cherry mask. Stop by and have a hot cider and visit. I'd love to connect with you safely in person.

Here I am inside my studio. You can make an appointment for a private showing. Contact me to make arrangements.

Life is supposed to feel good and to be exciting. I am passionate about creating vibrant artwork that uplifts your spirit and inspires you to create your best life, no matter what comes your way. My subject matter ranges from abstracts and Louisiana crawfish to flowers, bugs, landscapes, and now I've added the Quarantine Cocktail series. I like to paint, for you, anything that delights and excites. I look forward to sharing it with you.

Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th,
from 11 AM - 4PM
36 Warren Court, South Orange, NJ

Don’t forget to sign up to win your free print. Drawing will be held at 5 pm on Sunday November 8th.

Studio Tour visitors can sign up to win a free cherry print, purchase original paintings, Giclee prints, greeting cards, and more! There will be FIVE other amazing artists set up on Warren Court in South Orange:

Sybil Archibald Works from Sybil's monotype a day series, works in progress, installation and demonstrations.
Wendy Bellermann will exhibit nature photography, black and white paintings and T-shirts of blues figures & representational painting.
Fred Courts Beautiful abstracted landscapes
Amelia Panico will exhibit photography and book arts.
Josh Stout will be demonstrating jade carving(Saturday only)!

There will be over 70 artists participating this year in Maplewood and South Orange. It’s going to be a fantastic tour. See the SOMA Studio Tour website to plan your wonderful day of art.

Stay safe and get out and rock the vote!
Love,
Leslie

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

Do you want to create your own sanctuary?

“Create the highest grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”
—Oprah Winfrey

My beautiful studio is my sanctuary. I love spending my days in this space creating magic for you!

My studio used to be filled with books, stacks of paper, and piles of junk everywhere. It looked like an aging insurance office. It was dark and cluttered and not very conducive to creating anything. I took an art business class and the first homework assignment was to create a vision board. A large part of my vision board was devoted to images of a stunning art studio with lots of windows, tall ceilings, and beautiful paintings.

I used to call the space, “my office,” and I focused mostly on my graphic design business. I wasn’t clear on it’s purpose because it was a home office. Now I call it my studio. It has a clear focus and meaningful purpose. It is now a sacred creative space.

Shortly after that, a leak developed in my studio's ceiling, and I had to gut the room. The dropped ceiling came down to reveal a vaulted ceiling. The stained carpet got ripped up and replaced with a light grey Marmoleum tile. The walls went from yellow to bright white. The ugly blinds were removed to reveal eight beautiful windows. The large wall was covered in cork and painted white. Four weeks later I had the studio of my dreams. It looked just like the pictures I put on my vision board.  

This is the other side of my studio. It’s not only my creative space its also my meditation location.

I wondered if making changes and fulfilling my dreams were really that easy. It was a great lesson in being clear about what you want. I've continued to create vision boards, and I'd like to report that more of my dreams are coming true. I encourage you to focus on what you want and work towards your goals. Things may come up to distract you from your goals but if you are clear, you can manage the bumps in the road and get back on your path. Stay the course! There is no time to waste! Your dreams are important. 

Here are a few tips for you, if you would like to try visioning:

• Get a large piece of colored poster board, a pair of scissors, and Elmer's glue.

• Get lots of magazines with beautiful pictures. I used Oprah, Martha Stewart, Travel Magazines, Art magazines, etc.

• Cut out all the pictures that appeal to you.

• Cut out inspiring words.

• Have fun with it. It’s not an art piece so don’t worry how it looks.

• Arrange the pictures and words on the board.

• Feel free to write or draw on your vision board if it helps clarify your purpose.

• Hang it in a place where you can see it.

• Look at it every day and imagine, with gratitude, that everything has already come true.

Send me pictures of your finished vision board. I'd love to see what you've got planned. My plans have been working out great. I spend my days, in my beautiful studio, painting, working on commissions, writing music, meditating, and writing these blog posts to inspire you.

Start by believing in yourself and all your dreams can come true.
Love,
Leslie

I Panicked When I Accidentally Deleted my Blog

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you’re still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.”
—Tony Robbins

Hand of God 30 x 30 Inches Acrylic, Glass beads and Mica on canvas. This painting started out as a landscape of my garden. The underpainting is florescent pink. It was not what I was planning . When I am painting I can be fully in the flow and let things happen without judgement. There are no mistakes just wondrous exploration.

When I paint I make mistakes all the time. But I never see them as mistakes. Everything that happens is part of the creative process. A painting may begin as a landscape and turn into a wild and colorful abstraction. Being in the creative flow is being alive and one with the energies of the universe. Nothing is negative. Whether I am painting, blogging, or writing music, as long as I'm in the creative zone I'm growing. I may hit a few bumps but there are no mistakes.

I started writing a blog a few months ago. It's an important step as an artist and an entrepreneur. It's supposed to help your collectors get to know more about you and your work. I agonized over how to start and I finally wrote, "Fill Your Life With Meaning During Uncertain Times." It was very personal, about the loss of my husband.

There’s my website with no Blog! I freaked out. But now its much better than it was before. There is always a silver lining.

A few weeks ago I realized I set up the blog incorrectly and I had to recreate the whole thing. In the process of fixing it, I deleted that first post and lost all the comments. It was very deflating. After a lot of resistance, I figured out how to push through. I forgave myself for making a mistake. I took some deep breaths, meditated, walked a lot, and realized I had to keep going. I got some support from my mastermind group, watched a few tutorials, fixed the technical issues, and started again. The format is much better now.

This is a sketch for a new painting inspired by my lost blog experience. Sometimes I have to squeeze a lot of lemons to get the job done!

Sometimes life gives you lemons. When that happens you can always add vodka! You have to figure out how to keep going, stay the course, never give up. Your dreams are worth it. Whether you make lemonade or add vodka, there is always a way through!

While researching inspiring quotes on making mistakes, I found several that spoke to me and helped me reframe and get unstuck. I've created a downloadable PDF to help me when I, inevitably, make a mistake or things don’t go as planned. If you'd find it useful, please click the button and download it for yourself.

Cheers to you making all your dreams come true!
Lots of love and lemonade from me to you,
Leslie
xo

In the beginning I painted things I loved.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.
—Steve Jobs

Mardi Gras Crawfish on Gold. When I first went to New Orleans I was introduced to the crawfish boil after a day at Jazzfest. This painting is of a crawfish sitting on a purple potato. I ate them both and they were delicious! New Orleans is beautiful magical, decadent city that speaks to my soul.

I want to share with you why I do what I do and why I paint what I paint. When I was very little I started my art journey by drawing and painting things that I loved. I was kind of a natural artist. It was a place where I felt free to focus on things that made me happy. I did lots of paintings of the Beatles and classic cars. As a matter of fact, my very first car was a Cherry Red, 1965, Mustang convertible. My tastes in subject matter have changed as I’ve grown, although I still love the Beatles and classic cars!

Left Me, at 15 years old, in my childhood bedroom creating a color wheel. Right My 1965 Cherry Red Mustang Convertibe.

Now I paint things that connect me to celebratory experiences and beautiful inspiration, things that make my heart sing. I paint images from nature, the human figure, vibrant abstracts, food, and cocktails! My travels have taken me to many amazing places including New Orleans, France, California, and my own backyard. Every adventure has been filled with wondrous beauty and soulful connections. These themes are present in my work. I like to use vibrant color and bold brushstrokes so the positive energy is palpable.

Be The Light is a painting inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Prints are available on my website. For every print sold I will make a $25 donation to the NAACP. Supporting causes important to me makes my work more meaningful.

There are so many upsetting images on the news and in our world now. It’s important to acknowledge these things and do our best to support the causes we feel are important. I also believe it’s important to counteract all the negative input with positive input. I like to fill my field of vision with things that inspire and uplift me. The subconscious mind is so powerful it’s important to control what goes in as best we can and focus on what we want, not what we are given. I want to help you fill your vision with images that uplift and inspire you too, now more than ever. What images inspire and uplift you?

I encourage you to do something you love, that lights up your soul, every single day. This is your one wild and precious life. Make it count!

So much love to you,
Leslie
xo

I HAVE FOUND THE SILVER LINING AND I WANT TO SHARE IT.

Going through things you never thought you’d go through,
Will only take you places you’d never thought you’d get to.
—Morgan-Harper Nichols

I Have to Phi Phi This is a color study of one of my collector’s trips to a strange new place, Phi Phi Islands in Thailand (pronounced Pee Pee). We can’t travel now but we are going to new and uncharted waters. Perhaps that is the silver lining. Can you see it?

In this strange new world we are being called upon to try things in ways different than we are used to. Many of us are working from home for the first time ever. Many of us are taking on roles unfamiliar to us like school teacher, house cleaner, grocery delivery sterilizer, etc. 

 I’m learning how to do new things like virtual events, live social media posts and also figuring out fun ways to connect safely in person. Here are a few ideas I have come up with for ways you can connect together while safely socially distancing:

• Invite friends to sit outside on your patio or porch.

• Entertain in your  backyard or on your driveway.

• Invite friends to bring their own dinner and drinks and join you in a park or on your deck. 

• Meet and go for walks in beautiful quiet neighborhoods. 

• Project a movie on your garage or on a sheet on a line and create a “drive in theater.” 

• Play lawn games like croquet or cornhole. 

• Find a quiet beach and swim in the ocean. 

• Go to a garden nursery. Get there early to avoid the crowds.

• Do yoga or exercise outside.

• Light sparklers in your yard at night. (if its legal!)

• Play your guitar for your friends.

• Get together with other artists and paint plein air (outside).

There is endless inspiration in my backyard. This little oil pastel, drawn in my garden, now lives in one of my collector’s lovely little home in West Seattle. Having artist friends come over to create in my backyard is a wonderful way for me to social distance.

When we go outside our comfort zone we grow. I’ve been forced to reinvent myself as an artist and musician. I used to do a few in person events annually where I perform and show new work, usually to a packed house. Since I can't do that now I’ve come up with two solutions:

• I’m hosting a super intimate, in-person live events, in my backyard called the Private Quarantini Garden pARTy. You can read about the details and sign up, in my previous blog here. 

• Also for the first time I will be hosting a live virtual event on Zoom where I will serenade you a bit and show you some of my new artwork. Please join me and get a little taste of what my in person events are like. It's going to be super fun. I’m nervous about this but happy that no one can throw tomatoes at me through the computer! Make sure you are on my mailing list to receive the zoom link.

Neato Mojito is one of several prints you could bring home when you attend a Private Quarantini Garden pARTy.

I hope you are finding new and exciting things that you never would have realized you enjoy. We have lost a lot of our usual routines but the new ones can make our lives richer in ways we never imagined. When this is all over you will have loads of new stuff to add to your routine and hopefully it will be your silver lining.

Lots of love and blessings,
Leslie

How to Thrive in Uncertain Times

“It seemed to me that the people who were genuinely thriving in their lives were the ones who had made room for well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving.”
–Arianna Huffington, Thrive

Magical Martini is now available as a print in my Quarantini Collection. You can bring one home with you if you book your own Private Backyard Quarantini pARTy.

I know that some of what I used to do, to thrive, doesn’t seem available to me right now. I can’t hug my family, go out to see live music, or go to a life drawing group. I can’t host my twice yearly, themed live events in my studio, to present new work and perform with a live band. Everyone I talk to is craving a taste of their “old life.” When I stumbled upon Arianna Huffington’s quote, it inspired me to evaluate what I am doing now to thrive. 

When I’m:

• Focused on my well-being through meditation, daily walks, my gratitude practice, and eating nutritious meals, I feel healthy. 

• Tapped into wisdom through my creative processes of painting and songwriting, I feel wisdom flowing through me. 

• Appreciating joy and wonder through the beauty of nature, I feel grounded and peaceful.

• Able to give back by making donations, from the sales of my artwork, my work feels more meaningful. 

All of the above feel better when I have someone to share it with and Zoom isn’t always enough. I decided to host a series of mini events. Three times a week for three weeks, because three is the magic number. You can come to my backyard with a friend and we’ll have a magical evening. I’ll break out my guitar and we’ll create new memories and make room for some things that will help us to thrive. I encourage you to think about making room for things that help you to feel better and in turn, thrive. 

These watermelon cocktails are extra delicious when enjoyed in my beautiful backyard.

Private Backyard Quarantini pARTy

We are all craving some normalcy. This is your opportunity to make room for things to make you thrive. Have a lovely evening out with friends, cocktails, live music, add to your art collection and enjoy lively socially distant conversation. Here's how it will play out:

• Well-being: Join me among nature, in my beautiful backyard garden, enjoy a delicious Top Shelf Quarantini cocktail made with organic juices. Sit and nibble a snack at a comfortable and socially distant spot with a friend. 

• Wisdom: Take home one expertly crafted Limited Edition 12 x 12 inch Quarantini fine art Giclee print of your choice. 

• Wonder: A magical and fun two hour experience. I’ll preform a few of my new Quarantine inspired songs for you.

• Giving: $50.00 of the price of the experience will be donated to the Rent Party Pantry, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fighting hunger in my community. 

The cost for this magical evening, including all of the above, is $300.
There is limited availability. Book now so you don't miss out.
48 hour cancellation required to receive a full refund.
Within 48 hours you will be charged $125. and receive your Quarantini print.

Here I am with my pal, Jill Sobule, at one of my backyard house concerts.

I hope whatever your circumstances are you are staying healthy and hopeful. I encourage you to think about making room for things that will help you to feel better and in turn, thrive. We are going to get through this with flying colors! Can you imagine flying colors? I can! Stay safe and have some fun.

With tons of love,
Leslie

Strengthen Your Ability To Perceive More Joy

I realized this 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. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will continue to follow me here because social media sucks.

“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