How to embrace life's delights while dealing with the challenges

 

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

Day one of fun with my girl on our trip to the Pacific Northwest!

 

My cup is so full it's overflowing! Get this: I offered to take my daughter anywhere she wanted to go as a present for graduating high school, and she said, "Why would I want to go anywhere with you? That would be weird." When she graduated college this year, I courageously asked again, and she said yes! We went to Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle and had the best time! We walked over 100,000 steps, went to the aquarium, ate oysters, drank cocktails, visited museums, went to the Bumbershoot music festival, stayed in two hotels that the Beatles stayed in, saw dahlias bigger than our heads, ferried around the Pacific Northwest, swam, met with friends, made new friends, and had so much fun together. The morning we returned, she walked toward me, and I was uncertain, but she hugged me, thanked me, and went to bed. I nearly fell over from the weight of my heart, growing three sizes!

 

In Seattle we stayed at the Edgewater Hotel where the Beatles famously had a picture taken where they were fishing out their window. Edgewater doesn’t let you rent fishing equipment any longer but they do let you borrow a guitar!

 

I'm gratefully embracing a deeper connection with my daughter, but I am still preoccupied with my mother's health and care. Life's challenges can get us into a dark place so quickly. It is the nature of our mind in service to our survival instinct. Now, that tendency mostly gets in the way of our joy. I've learned to accept and deal with the challenges as best I can, focus on life's delights, and lean into the fun stuff! We get to choose.

Lean into the fun with me at my preview pARTy for the SOMA Artists Studio Tour! It's the Tour's 20th Anniversary, and it will be sensational. Save the dates and be part of the fun!

Wild Cherry pARTy
(Exclusive to my A-Listers)
Saturday, October 28, 2023
7pm — 11pm
I’ll be performing new songs with a live band, new artwork, new friends, yummy snacks, delicious drinks, a guaranteed good time! Costumes encouraged not required. There will be prizes!
RSVP now by clicking the cherry red button above to reserve your spot!

 
 

SOMA Artists Studio Tour
Saturday & Sunday 11am - 5pm
November 4th & 5th
Stop by my studio on Warren Court and see me first!
Then, see how the magic happens as more than 70 artists in two towns welcome visitors to their studios.




 

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 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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 
 

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

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

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

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


See you next time!
Love,
Leslie
xo

 

Oh My Gosh! The Warren Court Art Walk Is This Weekend!

 

You can read all about it right here. I'll set up on my porch with new work hot off the easel. Have a margarita with me and talk art, travel, music, buy an original, pick up a print, commission a piece, or shoot the breeze. It's a super fun event that fellow artists Sybil Archibald, Wendy Bellermann, and I curated to make The Warren Court Art Walk a fantastic weekend of arts immersion for collectors, connoisseurs, and art lovers of all ages.

I’ve started working on paintings inspired from my recent travels. You see it here first because you’re on my list. See them in person this weekend!

I'll perform a short set of LIVE MUSIC with Glenn Healy and special guests on both days.
Not sure what time. You'll just have to get lucky! 

The restaurant, Miti Miti, will set up a food tent and serve their scrumptious empanadas. You can park right on the street. South Orange has a few great new restaurants too, and the weather is going to be spectacular! Don't miss it when you're out and about.

The Warren Court Art Walk
Saturday, June 3rd & Sunday, June 4th 
from 11:00am to 5:00pm

22 Exceptional Artists on One Block

It's going to be a pARTy!

See you this weekend,
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!





 

 

Pursue your passion and see everything fall into place with ease.

 

“ Pursue your passion, and everything else will fall into place.
This is not being romantic. This is the highest order of pragmatism.”
– Gabby Giffords

Performing at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, my old stomping ground!

You haven't seen me painting lately because, behind the scenes, I'm in full swing getting ready for my big trip as well as recording nine new original songs. Music is another one of my lifelong passions. Combining art and music at my events creates a more connective experience. I recorded the vocals with Tim Welch at Sound Underground in South Orange last week. It's so exciting to create things from ideas to fruition. Bringing things to life by co-creating with the universe is one of our main reasons for existing.

 

Me with Tim Welch. If you want to find your voice Tim is your man. Check him out at Tim Welch Vocal Studio.

 

Tim Welch is a musical genius—a cross between Willy Wonka and Mr. Holland from "Mr. Holland's Opus," but cooler and weirder. He's been my voice teacher/vocal coach and ‘brother from another mother’ for over a decade. He’s the wind beneath my musical wings. My band consists of my dear friend Glenn Healy on drums, Philip Cohen on bass, and Stuart Klinger on guitar. These guys are legendary, and I am so grateful to have them all helping me with this project. If you have anything that you want to accomplish in your life, get a team of experts or mentors who have done what you're trying to do and soak up as much of their knowledge as you can! Then get them to be in your band!

I am working on the final elements of the recording before all the tracks get mixed and mastered. I'll share bits and pieces as previews along the way to the big listening pARTy coming this Autumn, when I'll present a new series of paintings based on the new songs.

 
 

My songs, like my paintings, are filled with positive and uplifting concepts. You might laugh or cry, but you're sure to be entertained. I want to help you feel more. Mostly more good stuff, but feeling and being connected is the goal. Music and art provide opportunities to tap into our emotions and change us vibrationally. My goal is to raise your vibration. Come to my studio, and I'll do it! There's so much magic to make. Come to my pARTy, and we'll make some together!

Next week at this time I’ll be trekking around Iceland, before heading to Spain and finally Holland. If you want to see my adventures along the way, be sure to follow me on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s meet in person to catch up when I get back!

Sending you loads of love from near and far,
Leslie
xo

 

Wanna feel uplifted, excited, sensual and nurtured? Add this to your life.

 

“Pink isn't just a color. It's an attitude too.”
—Miley Cyrus

 
 

Magenta is vibrant, joyful, and fun. It also has a bit of badass in it. It's rooted in red and pulsating in pink—my two favorite colors! So, of course, I'm thrilled about Pantone's choice for color of the year, Viva Magenta 18-1750. I love all the warm hues, from sweet baby pink to sexy cherry red. They make frequent appearances in my paintings. Depending on the shade and value, pinks and reds can be uplifting and exciting as well as sensual and nurturing. These warm colors are very luxurious and I love that too!

Our culture is fully embracing the color pink. Have you noticed? And now that we are approaching Valentine's Day, it's in full bloom. If you'd like to get a meaningful, original gift for yourself or someone else special, Click the images above or the button below to learn more about this collection of pink and red paintings and limited edition prints.

“Viva Magenta PANTONE 18-1750 reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”
—Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

I'm practicing some Icelandic phrases for my upcoming trip, and I'm learning to say, "Áttu þetta í bleiku?" —Do you have it in pink?

 
 

Happy Valentines Day.
All my love,
Leslie
💖



 

Take an amazing trip and gain the best experiences points

 
 

"You must go on adventures to find out where you belong."
—Sue Fitzmaurice

Sitting high on top of Buda overlooking the Danube in Budapest. I started traveling last year and I can’t wait to hit the road again.

 

After ten years of raising my children alone it was time to hit the road. My daughter started college in the fall of 2019, and my son headed out to California at the beginning of March 2020. A week later, I was going on a bucket list trip starting in Iceland that Covid squashed. Three years later I'm thrilled to be planning this exciting expedition again! First stop Iceland, where I'll make a date with a guide named Thor, who'll take me into the wilderness during the new moon in search of the Aurora Borealis. Then a week in Spain, driving from Barcelona to Valencia, and then to Holland in time for the tulips. I'm so excited. I've waited decades for this experience. If you have any tips please share with me!

 

My artist friend, Andi, and I took the train from Paris to Chartres to walk the Labyrinth. Ask me about my surprising mystical experience next time we’re together!

 

Traveling is magical. It expands our perspective and introduces us to new cultures, customs, people, architecture, languages, climates, land formations, and food. We can't help but grow into greater versions of ourselves. We gain compassion and connectedness for and with people we would never have known. I take thousands of pictures to use as reference. All the spectacular scenery inspires my artwork.

I had the most amazing trip last year, spending a week visiting friends in Paris, then five days visiting my daughter in Prague, then traveling through Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest. I learned a lot by planning that trip, and I nailed it! My friend Freya helped me plan and joined me in Prague through the end of the excursion. Since it was so successful, I'm sharing some wisdom with you for designing one of your bucket list trips. Do the research. Lots of research and collect a list of great restaurants, nightclubs, music venues, cocktail bars, places to get great oysters, cool boutique hotels, museums, hot neighborhoods, good shopping, hikes, day trips, natural wonders, etc. Freya and I used an app called TripMaster, an excellent tool for planning a multi-destination adventure. Ask all your friends for recommendations. Do this in advance to protect your valuable vacation time from having to look things up on your phone.

Here are SEVEN tips for booking a fantastic vacation:

  1. Roll with the punches. Not everything will go as planned; sometimes, that's where the most remarkable magic happens.

  2. Make reservations for transportation and lodging as soon as it becomes available. Trip Master is great for this, allowing detailed views of every available hotel in any location.

  3. Plan one thing a day; a boat ride to orient yourself when you first arrive, a class, a museum visit, or a garden visit, and a dinner reservation for most evenings. 

  4. Learn the local greetings and simple phrases like; thank you, where's the bathroom, how much is this, do you have it in pink, and check, please.

  5. Find the best season or time of year to go to your destination. I prefer off-peak most of the time. Places are less crowded so it's more pleasant, and you can get reservations and tickets more easily. 

  6. Pack comfortable shoes. You can get cool ones from Sorel or get insoles. You are going to walk a lot! Wearing comfortable shoes can make the entire experience more enjoyable or miserable. You get to choose!

  7. Make sure to splurge on a few things like seat upgrades on airlines or trains, one or two nights in a luxury hotel, a Michelin-star restaurant, etc. There's a reason they get the star. You want to experience it. You only live once, and you can't take it with you. 

 

Freya and I sipping a Kir Royal and enjoying a scrumptious dinner in Salzburg, Austria after a hectic day of traveling.

 

Be present, be curious, have fun, relax, and enjoy the ride. It's a beautiful world out there. So gain some amazing experience points and have an adventure!

Travel safe, happy trails,
Love,
Leslie

 

Start 2023 With Gratitude and a New Vision for Success

 
 

“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
— Yogi Berra

 
 
 

Happy New Year! The start of the year is a time of new beginnings, and I’m thrilled to have you here with me on this incredible journey. You’re helping me share my art and my mission with the world. I’m very grateful that you read my blog and newsletter and connect with me on social media. You are the best! I’ve been focusing on spreading the word, and it’s working.

My Mission

We are here to embrace our authentic nature and to live with kindness and gratitude. I create art that feeds your soul by sparking wonder and joy. Cultivating joy helps you tap into your spirit enabling you to fulfill your highest purpose.

When life knocks you off your path, leaving you feeling disconnected and blue, a meaningful piece of art infused with positive, loving energy can shift your state of being back into alignment.

At the beginning of each year, I plant the seeds for what is to come. I’m planning on growing and expanding in all the areas of my life that matter most to me:

• Deepening my spiritual practice
• Relationships with friends, family and a new romance
• Healthy diet, exercise and a clean slate from the doctor
• Successful art enterprise
• Financial security
• Travel, entertaining, and more fun.
• Showing up as the best version of myself

 

2022 was a great year for travel. I visited New Orleans, Paris, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, Montauk, and Provincetown. In 2023 I’m planning on visiting Iceland, Spain, and Holland. Please let me know if you have any tips!

 

Resolutions don’t usually stick, so I suggest you make a plan. It’s important to know that what you measure can improve. Start by evaluating where you are now, and then take the time to envision where you want to go. Every January, I create a vision board to help me to reach my goals. it's a constant visual reminder of what's important to me. This is a magical process that sets you on a course to blossom. I want you to succeed! 

 

On a train from Salzburg to Vienna I drew the Prague castle. I love the inspiration that comes with traveling!

 

Once I'm clear on my vision, I write a gratitude statement as if my vision has already manifested. It helps me to stay focused on what I want rather than where I am. The full process I use is called “The Gratitude Formula.” It’s a fantastic book by May McCarthy. I attended one of her workshops a few years ago and embraced her technique for manifesting. I’ve found it extremely helpful when I feel stuck, fearful, or caught in a loop of procrastination. Gratitude always seems to be the way forward.

With a vision board and the Gratitude Formula, you have the tools and a process to stay focused. Now 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 exquisite flower you were born to be. I look forward to seeing you bloom. I'd love to see a picture of your vision board. Contact me if you need additional guidance on creating it or on the “The Gratitude Formula.” 

I wish you and yours an abundance of good health, happiness, and limitless blessings in 2023. The best is yet to come.

Love,
Leslie







 

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

 

Wishing you a plentiful feast and an abundance of blessings this holiday.

 
 

“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”
– Amy Collette

 

From left to right: Philip Cohen, Glenn Healy, Leslie Goldman, and Stuart Klinger. We entertained the guests at the pARTy with a short set of mostly original festive tunes.

I am thankful for so many things this year. The pARTy was magical! So many beautiful souls joined me in making it a fantastic evening. I'm genuinely grateful for this creative journey; the best part is sharing it with you. Celebrating this one wild and precious life together is as good as it gets!

 

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
– Melody Beattie

 

Thanksgiving is about love, connections, gratitude, and like every celebration, there's food. But after the year we've had, nothing makes me more grateful than having mom here visiting for the holiday. I hope your holiday graces you with a full belly, loving relationships, and abundant blessings.

Wild Cherry Art Limited Edition Nutcracker and Cherry Tote Bags in front of a pink glittery christmas tree

Pick up your limited edition Cherry or Nutcracker Tote when you visit the studio.

If you'd like to come to my studio for a visit and a personal tour, make an appointment by clicking the button below. If you'd like to start or add to your collection, I can help you. If you're looking for a meaningful gift for the person who has everything, I've got you covered. I also have limited-edition prints, tote bags, and greeting cards. Finally, I'd love to talk to you about my obsession with cultivating an “E.L.F.” life through art, music, and gratitude. Let's set ourselves up for the best year yet in 2023!

Sending all my love to you and yours,
Leslie
xo





 

Saturday Night, 11/19, the pARTy is on! Who's with me?

 
 

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
— Oprah Winfrey

 
 

I've been working on contrast. The dark and the light. You can't have one without the other. Combining this with my wild cherry metaphor has led me to my Black Cherry Series. After several years in the making, I'm thrilled to share it with you.

 

I'm beyond excited to see you on November 19th at my Holiday pARTy. You wouldn't believe how much I've missed you. And now, I feel great. The house is spruced up for the holidays. The pARTy is on! Mark your calendar and click the button below to RSVP right now; I'll wait!

Wild Cherry Art Holiday pARTy
Saturday, November 19th
8 pm till 11 pm
Art, Live Music, Booze, Snacks, Fun
Bags, Cards, Ornaments
Birdsong Soy Candles

The party will be super fun with wonderful people and a delicious signature cocktail. The band is fantastic this year with (the infamous) Glenn Healy on drums, (the incomparable) Philip Cohen on Bass, and (the I can't believe he's playing with me!) Stuart Klinger on lead guitar. That puts me on vocals and rhythm guitar. We'll be playing a short assortment of originals and a holiday cover or two. It's going to rock!

 

I've continued exploring with my Sennelier Oil Pastels, from Paris, breathing life into the inspiration from my trip to France, Austria, and Hungary this year. See them all at the pARTy!

 

We can sip, shop and celebrate the season together. All art will be for sale during the party, along with bags and notecards. You can invest in your own collection, purchase a gift, or make an appointment to discuss a commission. My friend, Martha of Birdsong Soy Candles, will be offering her beautiful candles. More than anything I want you to come and have fun with me.

Let’s get the party started!

Love,
Leslie

PS Please be up to date with your vaccines and don’t come if you’re sick.
Thanks!

 

How many steps does it take to build an amazing life?

 

“Moving forward requires letting go of the old story and stepping into new possibiities”
—Dawn Nargi

 
 
 

Dawn Nargi, Co-Founder of the WConnection, and I ran the first “Step Out” for the organization. It was our way of meeting with some of our members in person during the pandemic. Dawn is pictured in the back row on the right side, with her gorgeous smile and white WConnection t-shirt.

 

I learned how short life is when my husband died. I was 48 years old. I was overmedicated and wallowing in grief, literally on the floor for three years. The functioning part of me was devoted to taking care of my children. Otherwise, I was in darkness. I felt hopeless. I finally found my way by getting on a spiritual path and asking for and receiving help. I dug deep. I had to go to the bottom of the well before finding my way back up and out. I had all but given up. But somehow, I persevered. I slowly took steps to get back into the light. I made it. I have a very healthy respect for the contrast, but baby, I embrace that light. 

I’ve learned that to embrace the light, you must follow your dreams. Otherwise, you're just phoning in this life. You're here for a reason, so get to it! Again, I suggest that you read "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks, if you haven't yet, and then read "The Four Agreements," by Don Miguel Ruiz. If you don't know them, they are:

  • Be Impeccable With Your Word.

  • Don't Take Anything Personally.

  • Don't Make Assumptions.

  • Always Do Your Best.

The WConnection is a national non-profit of widows helping widows take steps to rebuild their lives after the life-changing event of losing a spouse. For the rest of 2022, a portion of the proceeds of every sale of Wild Cherry Art will go to the WConnection.

When you live this way, the authentic you shines. When this happens, you're tapping into your mojo. My mojo took a little dip this year because, you know, life. But I am beyond grateful to be living the dream. I'm painting and serving my fantastic collectors, participating in shows, hosting events, writing music, traveling, volunteering, enjoying time with friends and family, and I'm dating. Life is really magical. If I can get to this place, you can too. 

Seriously, this is your chance. Whatever you're waiting to do, figure out how to do it now. Start small, make a list, just take a few steps and get going. Being consistent and tracking your progress is the way to get there. Help helps. When you feel filled with joy and passion you're on the right path. Find ease in everything. Surrender. Connect. Do it with integrity and help others. Be the light. The world needs it. 

 

Visit me at 36 Warren Court, South Orange, during the Tour and see 5 other artists on my block!

 

Come visit me at the 19th Annual SOMA Artists Studio Tour to see me living my best life. November 5th and 6th. It's back in full force. More artists than ever before. It's going to be sensational, and I'll be setting up inside the studio, which I'm thrilled about. I'm looking forward to showing you what's new!

 

This one will be completed for the tour. Come see it in person and catch up!

 

Mark your calendar, as soon as you're done reading, for the Wild Cherry Art Holiday pARTy on November 19. If you've been before, you know the deal. Art, live band, food, drinks, FUN!!! It's going to be slamming!

Now order those books, take those steps, join me on this amazing adventure. 

I love you,
Leslie





 

Life's amazing adventures have me inspired to be back in the studio

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

 
 
Pretty woman with long blonde curly hair standing in front of a marina and a brilliant blue sky.

Standing in front of The Lake House in Canandiagua in August. Waiting for the wedding to begin

 

What a whirlwind summer I had. And all of a sudden, it's Autumn! My adventures give me loads of fodder for paintings. I'm sure your adventures would make beautiful paintings too. The best news is my mother has settled back into her home after a lengthy hospital stay. It's been a long road, and she still has far to go, but things look very hopeful. She has been steadily improving. I greatly appreciate the outpouring of love and support.

 

I couldn’t resist the big chair in downtown Canandaigua.

 

I spent several days in August on Lake Canandaigua attending the wedding of a dear friend's son: Friday night–French food and cocktails, Saturday –wedding, Sunday–brunch, and a day on the lake with friends. It was gorgeous, and the weather was spectacular. It was an honor to celebrate this beautiful couple. One of the biggest joys in life is celebrating milestones with friends and family. So I'm inspired to create paintings of the centerpieces from the weddings I attended this year. A personalized painting of the wedding flowers allows the couple and family to maintain a deep visual cord to one of the most joyful days in their lives. How special is that?

Any of these pictures I took, will make a meaningful and beautiful painting when I personalize it with loving words specific specific to the happy couple.

On the way home from Upstate New York, I stopped in Ithaca for a few days to visit my beautiful daughter, who is starting her senior year at Ithaca College. She has had one of the strangest college experiences ever. Covid started during her freshmen year. I'm so grateful that she still got to go abroad for her junior year. And I was so fortunate to visit her in Prague. Next Summer, she'll complete her major requirements in Los Angeles. She has thrived during this unprecedented time, and I'm so proud of the resourceful, resilient, ethical, inspiring, and beautiful person she has become.

 

Adison and I had a lovely dinner and drinks in downtown Ithaca.

 

I spent a week in Montauk with my dear friend Lucille. We lay on the beach while sipping cocktails and watching whales frolic in the sea. We ate lobster at Duryea's and Ice cream at John's Drive-In. It was just the magical week I needed to connect me to the beauty of nature. While I lounged under the umbrella, I finished reading "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks. Read it!

 

There is no better way to finish a day in Montauk than enjoying oysters and a Lobster dinner at Duryeas’s as the sun sets on “The End” of Long Island.

 

In the last week of summer, I traveled back to Provincetown. I visited last year with the same group of friends, and we had such a wonderful time we repeated it! Our days were spent exploring shops and galleries and eating some of the best and freshest oysters anywhere.

 

I’m having so much fun collecting images of oysters for an upcoming series of paintings. These particular mollusks are from Cape Cod and they were exquisite.

 

Life is for living, and I try to do that fully every day. My adventures provide lots of meaningful imagery for me to paint. I'm sure your adventures do the same for you and your friends and family. I would love to turn your favorite experience into a beautiful painting that celebrates that moment forever. I'm accepting commissions for the holidays now. I want to have plenty of time to give it the attention it deserves, so let's do a 15-minute complimentary discovery call right away and get this party started!






 

See how to navigate new frontiers with inspired fun, and magical growth

 

“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”
—Lady Bird Johnson

 
 

Inspired Landscape

Opening reception Friday, July 29th, 5 pm – 7:30 pm

July 16th through August 27th
West Orange Arts Council
551 Valley Road, West Orange

When you come to the opening for “Inspired Landscape,” you’ll see some of my recent European landscape work alongside work presented by six other artists. We came together as strangers from different backgrounds, working in various media and with different practices. We’ve met monthly for six years to critique each other’s work and support our artistic growth. During our meetings, we present work and discuss composition, value, subject matter, color, technique, inspiration, and the joy of the creative process. Having ongoing support and consistent accountability helps on the road to mastery. The mastery and the magic are evident when you view the show. I’ll be there for the opening. Meet me there, and we’ll celebrate like it’s 1999!

Participating artists:

Dan Epstein
Leslie Goldman
Marlene Hendrian
Ann Kraus
Fernando Mariscal
Denis Orloff
Katy Repka

 

I used the photographs I took in Monet’s garden to create my recent series of art using my new jumbo Sennelier Oil Sticks. In 1887, Gustave Sennelier, a devoted chemist, established the Sennelier palette as the ultimate standard of quality for Oil Pastels.

 

Navigating unknown mediums creates new neural pathways. Texture, viscosity, pigmentation, and substrate play a role, as do attitude, beliefs, and goals. Using new materials forces us to explore new ways of doing things. My Sennelier Oil Pastels are pushing me into unforeseen frontiers. I have to put on my thinking cap. More importantly, I put on my feeling cap. I approach the process with positivity and creative abandon. My studio is a great place to play and investigate without judgment. I play great music, infuse some delicious essential oils, dance around a bit, and have at it. The bottom line is when you try something new, you can’t help but grow. So much joy comes with exploring fully in the moment with childlike wonder. When I have fun with it and enjoy the ride, magic happens. See and feel the magic at my latest show!

I’ll be at the gallery all day this Saturday, July 23rd from 11am – 4pm. Come for a special tour of the show and I’ll share some of the observations from our critique sessions. People really love hearing about how the artist sees things and I’m happy to share. See you soon!

Love,
Leslie

 

I'll share with you, how to get your mojo working right now.

 

“‘Mojo’ refers to your self-confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, or even sex appeal.”
–Dr. Evil–Austin Powers

 
 
 

It’s framed under glass so extra care is required when shipping this piece”The Bavarian Alps” to its new home. Look for a limited edition print of this one coming to the shop prints page soon.

 

I feel like I lost my mojo. I've fallen off social media. I don't feel like I'm progressing in other areas of my life either. Am I being too critical or am I doing enough? I know when I feel like this, it's a good time to stop and evaluate everything that's going on and everything I want to manifest. So here goes:

  1. Help mom

  2. Pieces in two different Studio Montclair shows, Viewpoints & the Critique Group Exhibit.

  3. Quarantine till June 28th as per CDC guidelines for exposure to Covid19

  4. Deliver Prints to interior designer Alicja Crosby Interiors

  5. Ship glass framed piece out of state.

  6. Work on commissions

  7. Create work and prepare for the upcoming show at the West Orange Arts Council.

  8. Attend an overnight wedding in Brooklyn

  9. Three bathrooms and my closet are being renovated, so the house is in chaos

  10. Sleep in the attic with belongings during bathroom and closet renovations.

  11. Volunteer for WConnection

  12. Weekly voice lesson with Tim Welch Vocal Studio

  13. Work on rough cuts of songs for the new EP

  14. Attend Yoga retreat at Menla

  15. Prepare for a week in the Fingerlakes to attend another wedding and visit Adison

  16. Meet regularly with the SOMA Studio Tour Planning Committee

  17. Practice self-care

  18. Socialize

  19. Date/put myself out there

  20. Create art

  21. Publish my biweekly blog

  22. Plan Fall events

  23. Sleep

 

Last time I posted was SIX days ago! I’ve worked a lot on my social media presence. It’s time to recommit.

 

And now I'm supposed to do social media posts? Oy vey! When I break it down it looks like so much. I know your list looks like mine. Seeing it like this helps provide clarity. We've got a lot to do, and we're doing great. I encourage you to make your list and take better care of yourself. If we practice self-care and sleep more, everything on that list gets easier. So the answer always seems to be more love for ourselves and others. Give, accept, and spread more love. Ask yourself at every step. "what is the more loving thing to do or say?" And throw lots of gratitude in the mix for being here in the first place and for having so many amazing people in our lives and wonderful challenges to conquer. I also urge you to have more fun. Since you're on this wild journey in the first place; enjoy the ride! 

 

A glimpse of the sparkly sconces in my newly renovated bathroom.

 

Come for a visit and a cool drink on my porch this Summer. As soon as the reno is over, I'll give you a studio tour and play you a song if you like, and I can even show you my new bathrooms! You'll see, I got my mojo working just fine. 

Keep cool and carry on!
Love,
Leslie
xo

 

When life is filled with love everything comes up extraordinary art!

 

"Where there is love there is life."
–Mahatma Gandhi

 

My cousin Tracey and I at the second wedding this season in Brooklyn. Her daughter’s was the first in New Orlean’s

 

This is a year of love. It's like I'm in a delightful romantic movie. I just attended my second beautiful wedding and am gearing up for another in New York's Finger Lakes Region. These beautiful weddings inspire so many ideas for paintings of flower arrangements and gorgeous table settings with flattering lighting and impeccable fashion in breathtaking spaces with amazing people. All of which would make a meaningful painting for the bride and groom or attendants.

 
Blonde woman in a mask standing in front of a large splashy metallic painting of a Manhattan cocktail.

Me at the opening to the first of three shows I’m in this summer, The Studio Montclair Critique Group Showcase. From here I went directly to the wedding in Brooklyn.

 

Three Group Shows

Meet up with me at one of three fantastic group shows I'm honored to be participating in this summer. That's so much more love! The first show opened Saturday at Studio Montclair, and it's fantastic. At the opening, I met up with some artist friends I've only known on Zoom. Others I haven't seen in a few years. It's a great show of work by 34 artists who participate in monthly critique groups. It shows how the discipline of steady work leads to mastery. I've become a big fan of Denis Orloff, Dan Epstein, and Mo Riza, among other talented and prolific artists in this show.

Get information on all three shows and make a date to meet me there by clicking the button.

 

This is the most spectacular dining view and most amazing meal I have ever experienced. Le Jules Verne, Paris, April 28, 2022. See more pictures in Marina’s Article

 

I'm still luxuriating over my trip to Europe. On the first day, my artist friend, Marina Bosetti, and I lunched at the Michelin Star restaurant, Le Jules Verne, on the Eiffel Tower's second floor. Once we exited the thrilling, private, glass elevator ride, we settled into one of the best dining experiences of our lives. Marina wrote a beautiful article on our adventure. Read about it here.

 

This one,”The Hills Are Alive,” is still available. Because you’re on my mailing list you can purchase it before it goes on the website by emailing me here.

 

This week I'm back in the studio, working on more small European landscapes. They are so evocative and tactile. I did my best to insert the region's energy, light, and magic into each piece. Look for prints of the ones already sold coming soon to the website.

Love,
Leslie

 

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

 

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

 
 
 

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

 

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

 
 

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

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

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

Amy Campione

 

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

 

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

Love,
Leslie
xo

 

How do you turn Chaos into a blessing? I'll show you.

 
 

“If chaos is a necessary step in the organization of one's universe, then I was well on my way.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen

 
 
Acrylic painting of a landscape. A dramatic row of trees in green and purple.

This is a row of trees in Château de Villandry, just outside of Paris. I took a thousand photos of the picturesque gardens a few years ago. Many of the photos will become paintings like this one.

The house is under renovation. Three bathrooms were leaking simultaneously, so I just went for it. The job should be finished by now, and it isn't. I am grateful for such a wonderful "problem." Mom is still in rehab, but she's beginning to improve. She is getting the best care. So I count that as a blessing too.

Next week my son, Coltrane, and my friend, John, will be running things at home because I'll be waking up on the Left Bank, getting ready to spend the day with my artist pals in Paris. I've been planning this trip for a while. My Google sheet is chock full of outings and restaurant reservations. The first stop will be at the Sennelier shop to pick up some art supplies. Then, I'll dine at the Eiffel Tower, sniff Monet's waterlilies, drink wine, and eat oysters. It'll be a heavenly week in the city of light.

A young pretty blonde punky woman with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

I spent my 21st birthday in Paris. I believe this photo was taken after I insisted that my friend, Raffaele, and I walk up the steps of the Arc de Triumphe to avoid the line. She refuse to walk the steps of the Eiffel Tower!

After a week in Paris, I'll visit my daughter, Adison, in Prague. She's living her best life while studying abroad this semester. She's looking forward to showing me around, which has me more excited than anything! After Prague, I have another gal pal joining me as we venture to the land with the Sound of Music, Salzburg, then to beautiful Vienna, and finally Budapest. Nineteen days of adventure will produce loads of pictures to inspire future works of art.

Lovely young woman sitting on a stone ledge with a beautiful Italian landscape in the background

Adison is enjoying her time, traveling and studying abroad. I'm so excited to hear about her adventures.

Starting next Tuesday you can follow my travel adventures on FaceBook and Instagram, by clicking the icons above. Follow my artist pals by clicking on their names and get their perspectives:

Marina Bosetti @bosetti_art_tile
Andi Ipaktchi @andiipaktchi
Louisa MacCabe @louisamccabeart

The week I get back, I'll be co-organizing and participating in the Warren Court Art Walk. Come by and hear about my European whirlwind and see what's been brewing in the studio. It will be a fantastic weekend of art, music, and community.

I am so grateful to live this miraculous life and be able to do work that I love. I can renovate bathrooms, take vacations, explore my creativity and celebrate with loved ones. I have my health. I have so much. I have you.

Thanks for being on the journey with me—the ups and downs, the pits, stems and sweet delicious fruit. Life is a bowl of cherries!

Love you,
Leslie
xo


 
 

Why don't you skip your usual routine and party with me!

 
 

“I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.”
— Nancie J. Carmody

 
 

In New Orleans with my bestie, Leah on the right and in the center, Devra Dedeaux, who took me to NOLA for the very first time, many years ago, with her team of restauranteurs from NYC’s Gulf Coast and Sugar Reef.

 

I just got back from New Orleans. I attended a family wedding. My bestie came along with me as my travel companion, and we had a great time. NOLA is a place filled with incredible food, fantastic music, beautiful architecture, wonderful people, and rich history and culture. It's one of my favorite cities in the United States. After many intense weeks of caring for my mother, it was a great reset.

 

Cassamento’s on Magazine Street serves up some of the best oysters in NOLA. I’m heading to Paris in a couple weeks and I will do a comparison oyster taste test and report back.

 

Now I'm back in the studio and preparing for the 2nd annual Warren Court Art Walk. It's going to be fantastic! We have 22 artists for 2022. I'm excited to exhibit and sell lots of new paintings and prints. I may even include some new pieces inspired by my most recent trips to Paris and NOLA pus a couple new cherries! In addition, this year, we have Latin street food purveyor, Miti Miti, offering their tasty eats, and I'll be serving up a delicious cocktail. So please mark your calendar and prepare to spend the weekend chatting with artists, starting or adding to your collection, enjoying our vibrant community, and party with me!

 
 

I look forward to seeing you in May. Tell all your friends and get ready for a great time.

Sending you lots and lotsa love,
Leslie
xo