Own a spectacular work of original art and see your investment skyrocket

 

"Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one."
— Stella Adler

 

Above is a small sampling of Wild Cherry Art pieces that live in permanent homes across the globe and will increase in value!

 

Do you own a piece of Wild Cherry Art? I am thrilled to tell you its value will increase this Fall! So far, I'm participating in nine shows this year. I'm creating so much new work that I can feel myself growing! I'm grateful that my collector list is rapidly expanding. After I attend the residency in France this September, followed by a show in Paris, the prices of Wild Cherry Art will go up.

Why now? Demand has increased, and the cost of everything has nearly tripled. The silver lining is that this is excellent news if you own a piece of Wild Cherry Art. If you've been thinking about purchasing a painting, now would be a great time to buy. You'll own a spectacular new work of art, and your investment will grow automatically in October 2024. Make an appointment to meet me in my studio by clicking the button below.

I'll honor my current commission fees, but they will increase after October as well, so if budget is on your mind, make the appointment for a discovery call right now to discuss your dream project!

See you soon,
Leslie
xo

Check out all of my upcoming events! Meet me at the Openings:

🍒 PIERRO GALLERY Spring ‘24 EXHIBITION

OPENING RECEPTION

Wednesday, April 17th, 6:30-8:30pm
5 Mead Street, South Orange, New Jersey 07079
Wednesday, April 17, through Wednesday, June 12, 2024,


🍒 THE ART OF COMMUNITY

ARTIST SALON SERIES #1

Sunday, April 28, 3:00pm — 6:00pm
488 Summit Avenue, Maplewood, 07040


🍒 WARREN COURT ART WALK

Saturday, May 11th & Sunday, May 12th, 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Warren Court, South Orange, NJ, 07079


🍒 CHATHAM LIBRARY SHOW

OPENING RECEPTION

June 9th 2:15—4pm.
The Chatham Library, 214 Main Street, Chatham Township, NJ, 07928
Saturday, June 1, through Sunday, June 30, 2024, 10:00 AM—5:00 PM


🍒 THE WORLD IS MY OYSTER

OPENING RECEPTION

Thursday, September 19th 6pm—9pm
Galerie Roshana, 120 Rue de la Boétie, 75008 Paris
Thursday, September 19, through Sunday, September 22, 2024


🍒 WILD CHERRY ART PARTY

Saturday, October 26th—RSVP for details


🍒 STUDIO TOUR SOMA

Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, 11 AM—5:00 PM
Wild Cherry Art (map) and throughout South Orange and Maplewood, NJ



 

What color's all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul?

 

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.”
—Wassily Kandinsky

 

In the ‘80s I wore lots of dayglow and bright colors. Even thought I’m wearing a baby pink leather jacket, I was bold color forward!

 

PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is the color for 2024. Pantone's website says Peach Fuzz "captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It's a velvety, gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul." This sounds great. I love to nurture, and I love the idea of enriching my mind, body, and soul, but this color feels to me like a boring '80s flashback. I have noticed that many brands are embracing colors with an '80s vibe, so this is happening, like it or not. Will we all be feathering our hair and wearing leg warmers? Time will tell.

As for my artwork, peach doesn't speak to me. I love bold, bright, saturated colors. I also know contrast provides interest, and peach doesn't add contrast. It tends to soften things. Should I explore my softer creative side? What do you think? Unless I get an overwhelming response from the Universe, I'll stick with my bold colors. And if I have to go back to the '80s, I'm going in fluorescent!

 
 

Here are a few examples of my acrylic paintings; as you can see, they are vibrant with bold colors and lots of contrast. See them in person. Click the button to set up a studio visit. I'd love to show you how vibrant they are in real life. I'd also love to have a chat and catch up.

Stay warm and wonderful.

Love,
Leslie




 

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.




 

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
💖



 

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

 

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


 
 

White and gray can't beat vibrant color. It's time to mix it up!

 

 “Color is a power which directly influences the soul.”
–Wassily Kandinsky.

 

DaVinci’s Dahlia With Ant #1 is yellow, blue, orange, purple, and so many more beautiful colors.

 

This time of change is challenging our courageous hearts. It's a time to shine as our resilient selves and stand boldly in our power. We can step into the uncertain future bravely and fiercely. What color does bravery look like to you? Does it look white and gray or does it look like a vibrant rainbow?

While at the Short Hills Mall last week with my daughter, I noticed that the home stores were filled with white and gray on the showroom floor. The lack of color and warmth felt startling and sterile. "Where's all the color?!" I wailed. Later, while discussing with my artist friends the new Pantone Color Of The Year, I was thrilled to learn that the trends are embracing bold and vibrant color again! In addition, the January 2022 issue of Furniture, Lighting & Decor magazine cover is filled with friendly, inviting, dynamic hues. Those whites and grays just aren't cutting it. It's time to bring color back!

 

This is the purple wall in my kitchen with my painting, Metamorphosis, hanging on it.

 

This year's Pantone Color Of The Year is "Very Peri." It's a unique shade of purple that combines cool blue with warm violet-red undertones. "It's the first time Pantone created a new color for the color of the year," stated Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, "It reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place." Using purple has always been a courageous choice; it encourages personal inventiveness and creativity. As a result, it often feels joyous and dynamic. The walls in my teenage bedroom were deep purple, and now I have an accent wall in my kitchen that's purple. I'm on trend! Yay! Many of us have felt caged in these last couple of years, and whites and grays don't do anything to make us feel inspired or lively. It's time to make our homes cheerful and optimistic by injecting new life into them with color, patterns, and textures. Bold is back in style, and I love it!

 

White and gray furnishings come alive with the addition of colorful art like Manhattan Mondays.

 

Color has always been my jam. The walls in my home are filled with color, and my paintings add additional bright, vibrant colors. People often comment on how happy my house feels upon entering. Don't get me wrong, I do like white and gray furnishings and walls, but I love how they look modern and fresh when bold pops of color are added to liven things up. It's time for you to explore your own color sensibility with courage and creativity. Make it fun and take a chance; maybe add something purple.

If you'd like my guidance, I'd be happy to help. So click the link above and set up a Zoom meeting with me. We’ll talk about embracing the colors of the rainbow. Then we’ll find our pot of gold together.

Love,
Leslie