Did you know, if you had fun you won?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

Love,
Leslie
xo

 

How about giving something uplifting, uniquely crafted, and meaningful?

 

“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind.”
—Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street

 
 

The Wild Cherry Art Holiday open house was super fun! It was cold and dreary outside and warm and wonderful inside. Sadra Charlap, guest artist extraordinaire, and I were grateful to share so many laughs, smiles, and sparkles with everyone who stopped by. I don't mess around with decorations; I go all in! So it's a Wild Cherry pink winter wonderland. See for yourself; make an appointment to visit the studio for the holidays. Revel in the decor, see the new paintings, celebrate the season with me. Bring friends, and we'll make it a party! If you're looking for holiday cheer, I've got loads to share.

While you’re visiting, you can finish up your holiday shopping. I have many beautiful pieces to delight and inspire everyone on your list. We can all use something uplifting, so give your special someone a uniquely crafted and thoughtful gift. They don't need random stuff; they want meaningful things. Cherries remind us that life is filled with pits and stems and also that sweet, delicious, juicy fruit. Focus on the good stuff with a vibrant cherry painting! You can't find my work on Amazon, but you can find it here, on my website or in person.

 

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.




 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Find Out How To Conquer Difficult Times By Embracing Passion.

 
 

“There’s no better exercise for strengthening the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
—Woman’s Home Companion (May 1954)

 
 

This is Ellie, my beautiful mother. She is the most kind and generous person I know. A gift.

 

Hi! I'm Leslie, a fine artist & owner of Wild Cherry Art. I'm on a mission to cultivate joy through art, music, and living in the spirit of appreciation. I've been off social media because my beautiful mother has taken ill, and I've been at her bedside. I’m praying that she makes a full recovery. Now she's in rehab where the visiting hours are much shorter. So, I'm back in the studio in the mornings, painting from pictures of my last trip to France. I'm returning to France at the end of April, and I will be painting all along the way. I'm so excited to be traveling again and experiencing new unforgettable adventures in this great big wonderful world. I've missed a couple of weeks with the blog, so I'm reintroducing myself to you with @JoanneHawker s #MarchMeetTheMakers challenge. You can follow my progress with the challenge on Instagram and Facebook. Come see me and my completed France Series, in person, at the Warren Court Art Walk on May 21st and 22nd.

 

“Poppies on Omaha” 18 x 18 inches acrylic on gallery wrapped archival canvas. Available for immediate purchase for delivery the week of May 22nd. Last time i visited France, I rented a car and drove through the countryside in search of beautiful vistas. I could do a thousand paintings, there was so much beauty.

 

March Meet The Makers Challenge

Day 1, You and Your Work:

At 7 years old, I painted with oils and played the piano. While other kids were partying in high school, I was home painting, drawing, and playing the piano. Also sneaking into the Fastlane in Asbury Park to see live bands. I wanted to be a painter and a rockstar when I grew up.

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 multiple prestigious design firms, and held art director positions at major publishing houses. I've won awards for excellence in graphic design and illustration, working for top-shelf clientele. While living and working in NYC, I performed with my band Boom Box Barbie at CBGBs, Mercury Lounge, Brownies, and other well-known venues.

With my husband's sudden and untimely death in 2012, I abruptly became a single parent of two young children. Re-evaluating my purpose, I embarked on a journey of healing. My commitment to following my dreams strengthened. I had seen how fleeting life can be firsthand. It was time to get back to painting, music, and fulfilling that dream. I realized that I had been given a gift that I must share.

 

This is my beautiful friend and collector, Theresa with her Wild Cherry Art, “Sexy Sadie.” I love that this painting connects Theresa to her powerful and creative feminine spirit. “Sexy Sadie” was the first painting in the Inner Beings Series.

 

Now I use decades of painting, drawing, graphic design, music-making, and spiritual practices to inform my artistic process to delight and inspire you with exciting, vibrant works of art and song. My goal is to elevate the world's vibration through a joyful, divinely inspired journey, one painting at a time accompanied by an original soundtrack.

 

My art and spiritual practice along with some new blood pressure medication helps me when life delivers a new challenge.

 

Following my dreams has allowed me to maintain a sense of playful revelry in my approach to life. When you follow your heart, life is filled with meaning. It helps, when life presents its challenges, to spend your days doing something you love. 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 following your heart. Life is a bowl of cherries, enjoy all the good stuff and spit out the pits!

Sending you, and mom, loads of love and appreciation,
Leslie
xo