We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leslie Van Stelten. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leslie below.

Alright, Leslie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned the technical basics about photography in art school and taught myself video/video editing with YouTube. For painting, I took a few introductory classes, read quite a few books and then taught myself the rest. Anyone can learn the technical aspect and “rules” of a craft. Finding your own distinctive voice, developing your creativity and breaking those rules you learned comes from putting in the time and listening to your inner voice. I guess ultimately I learned to do what I do by just doing it every day. By trial and error, by success and failure and ultimately listening to myself.

I don’t know if I could have sped up the learning process. I’m actually a very fast learner in the visual arts. It comes very natural to me. I’m also very self aware and generally know what I want create, although I’m always trying to push myself and explore. Maybe I would have started my career in the visual arts sooner as a teenager and young adult if I didn’t listen to my parents, my community and society that the arts are a bad career choice. However, I look at it like if I hadn’t gone to college to study biology and then off to the Peace Corps and then to art school and then New York City, I wouldn’t have the perspective I have now and I wouldn’t be creating the art I create. Even if it’s later in life.

To be an artist, the most important skill you need is artistic talent. Also determination and commitment, self belief, etc etc. For my personal portraits and figurative work in photography and fine art paintings, the skills that I feel are the most essential are the ability to see nuances of light and shadow. Also my storytelling abilities. My goal with each new project is to convey a story about my subject. I add beauty or tension to the narrative with the use of light and shadow. “The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say.” Gregory Maguire.

I feel that the 2 obstacles that have stood in my way of learning more is 1) having to tend to the responsibilities of being a contributing member of society and 2) lack of time in a day. If it were up to me I would be immersed in my art, painting in a big beautiful studio or gaining inspiration from traveling. I would always be creating and not worrying about things like making money, paying bills and promoting myself.

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 was born in Denver in 1970 and grew up in Arvada. After completing high school at Arvada West, I went to the University of Colorado and received my bachelor’s degree in Biology. After graduation, I joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in Costa Rica and Panama, where I taught agricultural programs. When I was there, I had an epiphany that I wanted to be an artist.

When I returned to Denver, I enrolled in the photography program at The Colorado Institute of Art. I absolutely loved photography and knew this was the right choice for me. However, I also knew that I wanted to learn more from the big famous photographers and to do that, I had to relocate to New York City. After completing my degree, off to New York City I went, with $500 in my pocket.

After spending 18+ years in New York City working in fashion, music and celebrity photography, I returned to Denver in 2015. The type of photography work has changed since my move back. Most of my work in Denver has been corporate headshots, PR photos for startup companies, event photography and real estate photography.

Shortly after my move I had an epiphany that I wanted to be a fine art painter. I started this journey with success and actually am the most excited about it. I have been in exhibitions at various galleries including Next Gallery, Edge Gallery, Virtual Artists (during the pandemic) and Red Bluff Art Gallery. I currently have my paintings displayed at Thrive Workplace on 1415 Park Ave. W. Denver and Nita Knoll Gallery.

The products/services/creative works I provide are photography services including portrait work, headshots, still life photos, music video work, event photography, real estate photography (http://imoto.com) and interior design photography. I also do commissions for Portrait/Figurative paintings and Pet Portraits. You can check out all the portfolios at http://leslievanstelten.com

I feel what sets me apart from other visual artists is that I’m easy to work with. I’m very accommodating and fast. I never allow any shoot to be a dramatic, drawn out experience. Whether I’m shooting a head shot or doing a session for painting. It’s usually quick and painless. All my clients have been happy with the results.

I am most proud of my body of work. I feel it is very well thought out and cohesive. I feel since art is a subjective thing, potential clients are either going to like or they won’t. If they like it and want to hire me, I always do my best to fulfill their needs. I’m very detail oriented and easy to work with. I also try to be very professional and not to let my ego get in the way.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

If a person is looking to buy art, I feel like local art markets and galleries are the best place to purchase art, rather than going to chain stores and online companies that sell mass produced art. Not only is it helping the economy and your local art community, you will have an original piece of beautiful art hanging in your house or office. This will inspire everyone who inquires about your original artwork. This perpetuates a thriving creative ecosystem.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

These day my paintings are what’s driving my creative journey. I guess my goal with my paintings is to catch an enlightened glimmer of brilliance or genius in my craft. I’m not delusional, because I know that if you experience this spiritual moment, it is a high that goes away. You become grounded again and it ends up being somewhat anti-climactic. After each project, even if you experience that glimmer, every true artist raises their standards as to what the idea of excellence even means. It’s like an addiction. Then the cycle continues and you move on to the next project with high hopes.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.leslievanstelten.com
• Instagram: @leslievansteltenart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.vanstelten