We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leslie Lefferdink a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I created my “Breath Is Life” series, nine monotypes, in Spring 2022. The seeds of this series started months earlier when I discovered that a certain shape kept coming up in my sketches. The shape is simply what flowed out of my hand.

I wanted to explore playing with the flower-like shape, using a variety of colors and marks. Creating this collection was something brand new for me. So many decisions needed to be made for each piece.

I originally thought this series was about exploring shape and color. But as often happens, something deeper is revealed after the art is completed.

I asked several people what they saw in the work. Some said they saw flowers. Others said they saw butterflies. One said she saw lungs. That insight resonated. These works are about healing- about healing our bodies with breath. And it all started with “randomly” playing with a shape and colors.

I exhibited the series at D’art 360 Gallery in Denver, CO, in August 2024. During that show, I expressed my dream to have the series installed at the National Jewish Hospital. I am happy to report, they accepted my donation, and the nine works are on the walls at the Pediatric Clinic at National Jewish.

Leslie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Boulder, Colorado, native and currently live in Lakewood, Colorado. I earned a BFA in Printmaking from Colorado State University in 1981. Looking back, I realized I didn’t have enough life experience to express myself through art and wanted the stability of full-time work. I landed a job at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, and had a rewarding 31-year career there. I loved my job, but the creative nudges to get back to my art were getting louder and louder. I retired early to pursue my art.

I have rekindled my love for printmaking by focusing on monotypes. I also enjoy making collages from monotypes or fabric. I use shapes and colors to express feelings or represent daily life. My art is really for myself. If someone resonates with a piece, that is an extra gift.

I also believe in community work. I joined the Women’s Caucus for Art Colorado Chapter (WCACO) in 2020 and serve on the board. I was the curator for the “Finding Common Ground in an Uncommon World” exhibit in 2022 and “Reflections of Culture” in 2024. Also in 2024, I supported The Corazon de Trinidad Creative District to produce ‘Mountains, Plains, & Canyons,” an art exhibition of women artists in southeastern Colorado and northeastern New Mexico. I enjoy organizing exhibitions for women artists to amplify their voices and art.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

My number one recommendation for creatives is to find an art community.

When I first retired, I didn’t know where to begin or what type of artist I wanted to be. I attended artist talks, started following local artists on Instagram, and made a few connections. I was then told about the Women’s Caucus for Art Colorado Chapter and joined five years ago.

Being part of that community has given me opportunities to show my work, to learn new skills, to organize meaningful exhibits, and to network and make friends. I now have a good understanding of the Colorado art scene and how I want to fit into that. I am making work more regularly and have the drive to want to get better and bolder with my art.

There is a wide variety of art communities in the Front Range and throughout Colorado. As with anything, the more you put into an organization, the more you will get out of it.

I am grateful for the role the caucus has played in my creative journey and am excited about the direction my art is taking. I can’t wait to keep going.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

There are family and friends who don’t understand how important my art is to me. I don’t take it personally. And on face value, I understand. With so many problems in the world, art may seem like a luxury or a “nice to have.”

I believe two truths about art.

First, the person making the painting, music, dance, or play is transformed by the experience. I know that every time I create a new piece of art, my body, mind, and soul are fired up, and my heart is full, even when there are struggles making a piece. The more at peace we are as individuals, the better human beings we are to our families and communities.

Second, beautiful art (in all forms) creates positive responses for those who experience it. One book I enjoyed is “Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness” by Ingrid Fetell Lee

In this book, Lee explores how elements like color, light, and shape can evoke joy. She introduces the concept of the “aesthetics of joy,” discussing how vibrant colors and playful designs in our surroundings can uplift our mood and enhance well-being. The book offers both scientific insights and practical advice on incorporating joyful elements into everyday spaces.

While art may seem like a “nice to have,” it can be more important than ever to create positive experiences during challenging times.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leslielefferdinkart.com/
• Instagram: @leslie.lefferdink.art
• Linkedin: leslielefferdink

Image Credits

Photos by Brian Birlauf