We recently connected with Leslie McClare and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I actually learned by accident! I am a financial analyst by day, so I was looking for something fun to do. One day a friend showed me her new bed, and she said she painted it herself. I asked myself why cant I do something like that? So I bought some chalk paint and bought a bed off Facebook marketplace and gave it a shot. I was amazed at how fun it was and how easily it came to me. I don’t have any formal art training, and honestly cant even draw to save my life. For some reason I have fallen in love with furniture painting, and it turns out I am actually pretty good at it! I’m not sure if anything can “speed up” my learning process, or that I really want it to, as I am really enjoying learning all the different techniques and new ones are coming out all the time. I feel that learning these is the most fun part of this process! Seeing what comes out onto each piece is like a huge surprise every time, and I love that! My thoughts and ideas always change as I am creating. What I start out painting usually changes many, many times and comes out better than I could have ever imagined! The most essential skill I have learned during this process is to be open minded and to experiment. I try everything and if it doesn’t work that’s fine, I try something else until I am happy with the results. The only obstacles that stand in my way of learning more are my not being able to learn everything that is out there – waiting for me to try them!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a furniture painter. I create painted pieces that add character and personality to your space, weather it’s your home, a room, an office – whatever it may be. My pieces are one of a kind, not sold in stores, pieces of furniture that stand out and add something to your space that wasn’t there before. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t just “refinish” furniture, I create something that people will talk about. I put my heart into my process. I want people to know that it’s not about slapping a coat of paint on something, it’s creating something that could reflect a story or a personality. Something that’s makes you smile and makes you feel happy.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Inspiring people and helping them understand you don’t need to have a fancy art degree or formal training to create beautiful and fun pieces of art is why I’m here. Creativity comes from within. Anyone can create something beautiful. You can find ideas and inspirations everywhere. I get most of my inspiration just seeing what’s around. I’m looking at things I like as color palettes and textures that I could put together. As I’ve progressed with my work, I look at things in a completely new way. Everything I see, anywhere I go, could be inspiration for a project down the road! And all those catalogs I get in the mail??? I actually look at them now as ideas and inspiration.

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

Bottom line… if I can do this, you can do this! There’s no such thing as perfect, there’s no such thing as stupid. It’s all part of the learning process. I cannot tell you how many times I have redone pieces in order to love them. And that’s perfectly OK!!! What starts as an idea in your head may not transfer to a piece the way you initially envisioned. There is NOTHING wrong with that! Start over! Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 tries to get something the way I really love it. I’m here to tell you it’s totally ok!! And start small. You don’t need to start with a giant armoire – you can start with a small table or even a jewelry box. Just take your time. It will happen. Be patient. Experiment. I would love things to be perfect the first time, but I learned the imperfect is actually more perfect to me and I love it! Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is different. Everyone’s visions are different. That’s what makes you, unique!!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TastefullySassy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastefullysassy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tastefullysassy

Image Credits
McClare Creative, LLC. – Michael McClare