Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Kell.
Leslie, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I began my journey as a painter and illustrator until transitioning to a career as a graphic artist. I’ve been fortunate to operate my own design business for over 25 years in Austin. For me, the return to purely artistic pursuits was inevitable. While my aesthetic tendencies had not shifted significantly over the years, my medium of choice had changed quite a bit.
I was able to tap into my unique skillset as a longtime graphics professional to create an original technique that synthesizes the artistry of both design and photography. In late 2008, I created my very first digital collage using my own photos and Adobe Creative Suite. I quickly realized that the possibilities were endless and ten years later I am still chasing that elusive vision of the perfect image.
So today, I call myself a digital artist and (even more surprisingly) a photographer. But let’s face it; I’ve changed, the possibilities have changed, and the rules have definitely changed. But many of the questions have not changed: Is it art? Is it good? Is it finished? And this constant remains: it is in the artwork where we find the answers.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
“I’ve never seen anything like this” is the most consistent comment I hear when a person is introduced to my work for the first time. I take pride in the fact that my artwork is totally unique, from the imagery to the framing.
My art is contemporary, optimistic and distinctive. I design surreal environments in which my original photos are assembled into the spaces and patterns of the forms. As the lights and darks of the photos interact with the shapes of the design, they create a whole new imaginary world.
My photography is captured at every opportunity and selected based on a theme, location, color, and texture. Because each piece may use a dozen or more photographs, there is always something new to encounter and deeper discoveries within the composition.
The result feels like a memory of a place you might not recognize—but, somehow, have been waiting to visit. The more you look, the more you see.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Patience. Building an artistic practice can be compared to chiseling through a wall. You have no idea how dense or thick the wall is, or how long it might take to break through, yet you keep chipping away. Some days that blind faith is harder to muster than others. Perseverance and hard work can break down those walls.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My artwork can be found at various galleries, fine art festivals, and events. To stay up to date, sign up for my newsletter at lesliekell.com. There is always a complete and current listing on my exhibits page.
Custom prints are available of all of my images and can be printed on a wide range of substrates and options to fit any space. These options range from limited edition prints on fine art paper to open edition and edition varie on metal, canvas and more. All prints are hand signed. My website also contains all the details and pricing for my product lines.
Contact Info:
- Website: LeslieKell.com
- Email: Leslie@LeslieKell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekell/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.kell/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeslieKellArt
Image Credit:
© kell creative, llc
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