Why I paint silly things

It's no secret that I paint silly things! Not just because they make me smile, but because my inner child really needs them. She is the creative spirit behind every painting, and over the years I've realized that by following her wild ideas, I've been discovering who I really am.

So, here’s something I don’t usually talk about—I'm adopted. It's not something I’m ashamed of, but back in the day, adoption was kind of a hush-hush topic. The silence around it was so loud, and it just made me even more curious about my birth family.

Imagine trying to understand who you are without knowing where you came from. Without family stories. Without seeing your smile reflected in someone else's face. How do you make sense of yourself and your world? Looking back, I realize that my paintings have been like a quiet little journey of self-discovery. They’re mostly narrative, telling a story with main characters who are curious about everything and using their senses to explore the world around them.

My first series was titled “The Three Blind Mice.” Comprising 13 vibrant paintings, this collection was fun to create! These mice, blissfully unaware of their blindness, ventured into the world in pursuit of exciting adventures. They were completely oblivious to fear—something I aspire to be. (Take a look at the photos below!)

Next up was my “Carousel Horses” series. I decided to paint individual portraits of horses, decked out with flowers and given beautiful names. As I went along, the horses became simpler and more animated, reflecting growth and becoming authentic—just like I was feeling at that time, peeling away the layers to find my true self. (More photos below!)

So, yeah, for the viewers, it’s all about the silly stuff—bears munching on ice cream, pizza, and rocking out on the guitar. But for me? It’s all about discovering something new every single day.

Years later, I found some biological family and it wasn't just finding relatives, but discovering generations of creativity. Glass blowers, graphic artists, musicians and more. The creative spark that I have felt my entire life did not feel so mysterious anymore. It felt like coming home.

Stay curious folks! It's so worth it!  - Leslie