Thanks for visiting my site!

I truly hope you enjoy viewing my art, crafted items, stylist designs and interior design work (the latter two I am in the process of posting)! 

Just a little background about my passions, experience, and artworks:

I sign all original artwork as Lesly, as it's the original spelling of my name. I've been painting about 3 years and never previously created art of any kind. I try to paint every day when life permits. I'm mostly self-taught, have zero formal training and have never been to art school. I have been lucky enough to receive personalized feedback from 2 fabulous artists I consider mentors: Calvin Edward Ramsburg (who received training from Mai Vo-Dinh), affiliated with The Delaplaine art center of Frederick, MD, & John Blee (who received training from Helen Frankenthaler), affiliated with the Art League of Alexandria, VA. I also received single class instruction from artists Bryan Jernigan, Marsha Staiger & Deirdre Saunder, all of the Art League of Alexandria, VA.

I create acrylic paintings using brushwork, artist tools, palette knives, inks, graphite, Aquarelle and water soluble crayons, charcoals, glitters or other materials as needed to achieve compositional balance and enhancement. Most of my art is Modern and Contemporary Abstract or Figural, Floral and Impressionist and I enjoy experimenting with styles! I love color and am mesmerized by the contrasts and blending that emerge when painting and I also enjoy experimenting with textures and metallic effects. I also love crafts (especially glittery ones!) and upcycle, repurpose and alter vintage furniture and decorative items using found, natural and organic or antique items whenever possible (I enjoy breathing new life into well-loved, treasured items and materials). I especially love creating fairy houses (gnome homes/holiday houses, etc.) out of bird/doll houses and tiny furniture from organic materials.

You can always find me on Instagram and Pinterest which I am still in the process of uploading my artwork, poetry & inspirational quotes onto. I occasionally sell art, crafts, antiques, found objects & other items on Etsy I hope you'll follow me on these sites!

My passion is creating! I have a lifelong love and devotion to art, beauty, color, nature, animals, passion, honesty, sensitivity, courage and resilience. I love museums,  gardens and interesting architectural structures and go to them all any chance I get. I live in the moment and am grateful each day I'm alive. Every day is a learning opportunity, and with childlike appreciation and fascination, the beauty I observe in everything serves as inspiration for my paintings and creations. I feel my paintings reflect (to the extent my skill lets me) the diverse, often surprising nature of beauty in all its forms, and connectedness of all things I observe, absorb, appreciate and try to convey. 

My philosophy on painting is similar to a Zen Buddhist saying: "Leap & the net will appear." I believe: "Paint & the painting will appear!"

Thanks again from my heart for your interest in me and my art!