After many years in the corporate world, and a restlessness that never went away, Leslie decided to leave the business suit behind and immerse herself in her passion for painting. Wholly at peace  with her choice, Leslie looks forward to rising each day to explore the wonders of her new artistic realm by capturing on canvas the essence of a feeling, a flower, a moment or whatever presents!

“I started painting in earnest later in life. I found that my heart and my head were, and are, full of images that seek existence on a canvas from what feels like many life; times already lived. As an artist I strive to let my heart and my soul be my guide. As I put the first stroke on the canvas, I watch as a story begins to unfold and then progresses as the layers build. My process involves looking inward and then to the paint itself for direction for the next application and then the next, be it a stroke, a line or a splash! I create abstracts as milestones in my life: events like a trip, job change or a move, a spiritual experience or changing seasons are catalysts for me to begin my work. Something inside me shifts during these times – I gain insights into my own personal journey, sometimes jettisoning outmoded thoughts and beliefs. Whatever upheaval or shift that has transpired, painting an abstract is my way of moving through these changes. Many of my abstracts are untitled and some go simply by a name of a place or a season when a transformation occurred. To me, there is beauty and release in just letting something manifest, it is often impossible to label a painting with a title that can’t remotely capture my experience. In the end however, my hope is that someone connects to the painting in a deeply personal and meaningful way! Seeing others connect to my work through their life experiences brings me great joy!”