Do you want to create your own sanctuary?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Cut out all the pictures that appeal to you.

• Cut out inspiring words.

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

• Arrange the pictures and words on the board.

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

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

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

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

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

I Panicked When I Accidentally Deleted my Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the beginning I painted things I loved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So much love to you,
Leslie
xo

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Entertain in your  backyard or on your driveway.

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

• Meet and go for walks in beautiful quiet neighborhoods. 

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

• Play lawn games like croquet or cornhole. 

• Find a quiet beach and swim in the ocean. 

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

• Do yoga or exercise outside.

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

• Play your guitar for your friends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lots of love and blessings,
Leslie

How to Thrive in Uncertain Times

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

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

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

When I’m:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Private Backyard Quarantini pARTy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With tons of love,
Leslie

Strengthen Your Ability To Perceive More Joy

I realized this week that I have been publishing a blog twice a month for four years. I learned that you should start before you’re ready, practice makes better, and I don’t need any freaking AI! I’m republishing the entire first blog because it was pretty good right out of the gate. I still use the practice I explain below, and miracles happen when I’m consistent with it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will continue to follow me here because social media sucks.

“People who have the capacity to lean fully into joy have one variable in common: They practice gratitude.”
–Brené Brown, Ph.D.

I’m not saying that you need to drink to feel gratitude! I am grateful that this commission has led to a whole series of paintings, lots of positive responses, several more sales and now prints!

If you want to feel more joy in your daily life practicing gratitude can get you there. It is one of the most powerful practices I use to keep me feeling positive and happy. Even in the midst of tremendous challenges, gratitude can help you see the light. I started by keeping a small notebook by the side of my bed and writing about three things that went well that day. Even on a day that I didn’t feel very accomplished, I could find three things that went well. Like getting out of bed or having a conversation with a friend or washing the dishes. If you are new to practicing gratitude this is a great place to start.

I'm grateful for this commission from my beloved collector, Rosa Pellicer. She's a beautiful soul and I feel a deep connection to her. I'm happy to create artwork that inspires her and others to live with joy and wonder.r.

My practice has changed over time. Now I use May MacCarthy’s Gratitude formula. It has taken my practice to the next level. It helps me move through places when I feel stuck and it helps with manifesting things in my life that I desire. 

All you need is a dedicated notebook, something to write with, and your imagination. This is how you do it:

• Listen to or read something uplifting for 10 minutes

• Write a letter to whatever your higher power is for things in your life that you want to improve or manifest

• Hit all the major areas; relationships, finances, fun, health, connection to your higher power, and anything else you are looking to improve.

• Write about each one as if it is just the way you want it to be and you are grateful. Example: Dear Universe, I am so grateful that my relationships with my children are harmonious and joyful. We respect and support each other without judgment. We enjoy spending time together and have wonderful open conversations. I feel so much love for them and from them.

• When you are finished writing, read it out loud with a lot of emotion.

• Then spend 10 minutes meditating or imaging how wonderful it feels now that it is all as you want it to be

• During the day, look for guidance or follow your intuition when things pop up that will help you fulfill your desires.

• At the end of the day notice all the things that occurred to get you closer to your desired goals, feel gratitude for them, and thank your higher power for guiding you.

• Repeat daily.

I am grateful to Theresa Pettersen-Chu for purchasing this painting when I shifted from a graphic design business to fine art. She believed in me and started the ball rolling on my thriving new business.

If you are on the fence about this, I challenge you to try this method and just see what happens. You never know, you might just manifest the life of your dreams. If you give it a try, please let me know how it goes.

With love and gratitude,
Leslie