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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love,
Leslie

My gift to you. Happy holidays!

Wishing You a Season That’s Merry and Bright

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

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

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

Love,
Leslie

Your giving makes a difference to everyone in the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With love and gratitude,
Leslie

Thanks for bringing the amazing to my weekend!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love,
Leslie

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

Come to the only in person event this year!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to color your world with joy

“With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.”
—Henri Matisse

Davinci’s Dahlia Pink #3 30 x 30 inches of bold brilliant color inspired by a garden in France right next to Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home.

I wonder if Matisse thought Van Gogh was a witch. The first time I saw a Van Gogh painting in person, I started weeping like a baby. I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was the show, Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy and Auvers. Maybe I saw his struggle through the brush strokes or the pain in the colors, but by the time I was standing in front of "Undergrowth With Two Figures," the floodgates of my tears opened and I was almost inconsolable. The colors felt so melancholy and the figures seemed to be so fragile and ethereal I couldn't contain my emotions. That is what art and color can do. It can move you to an emotional state. I realized right then and there how powerful art is.

Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, Undergrowth With Two Figures.

I’ve chosen to make art that will fill you with joy and light. Using bright and uplifting colors and subjects, most of the time, that’ll bring a smile to your face. I’ve brought some of my collectors to tears but they were of delight!

Lemonade Parade 10 x 10 Acrylic and Mica on 2.25 inch gallery wrapped canvas. The yellow brings the feeling of joy , happiness and energy and the red gives it a pop of passion.

I realize with great power I have great responsibility! I like to do my homework. I’ve assembled a list for you to use if you are considering buying a piece of art, painting a wall, or looking to add a little pizazz with color. It will tell you the emotion connected to each color so you can choose wisely. It’s science so you can trust it!

Red:  power, passion, love, desire, strength, and danger

Pink:  hope, peace, compassion, femininity, nurturing, and understanding

Orange:  creativity, sexuality, joy, enthusiasm, determination, attraction, encouragement, and stimulation

Yellow: joy, intellect, energy, happiness, and food

Green: harmony, growth, relaxation, freshness, and fertility

Blue: trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, and truth

Purple: luxury, magic, royalty, ambition, wisdom, dignity, and independence 

Black: elegance, formality, fear, death, and evil

White: purity, cleanliness, peacefulness, simplicity, and sterility

Here in the northeast, we are blessed with the beautiful color of the changing season. Every year I am surprised by the magnificent hues of the Fall foliage. You can see from the chart, that means lots of creativity, joy, happiness, enthusiasm, determination, attraction, stimulation, and food! So expect to see more vibrant paintings. And I'll be walking a little more to make up for the increase in food!

Stay safe, be well, and enjoy all the magical colors of the beautiful season.

Love,

Leslie

Do you want to create your own sanctuary?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Cut out all the pictures that appeal to you.

• Cut out inspiring words.

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

• Arrange the pictures and words on the board.

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

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

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

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

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

I Panicked When I Accidentally Deleted my Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the beginning I painted things I loved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So much love to you,
Leslie
xo

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Entertain in your  backyard or on your driveway.

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

• Meet and go for walks in beautiful quiet neighborhoods. 

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

• Play lawn games like croquet or cornhole. 

• Find a quiet beach and swim in the ocean. 

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

• Do yoga or exercise outside.

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

• Play your guitar for your friends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lots of love and blessings,
Leslie

How to Thrive in Uncertain Times

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

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

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

When I’m:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Private Backyard Quarantini pARTy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With tons of love,
Leslie

Strengthen Your Ability To Perceive More Joy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Listen to or read something uplifting for 10 minutes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Repeat daily.

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

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

With love and gratitude,
Leslie