***Flygirl Fridays***

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to take a course called "Flying Lessons" given by a very talented artist - Kelly Rae Roberts. It was an excellent course that covered such topics as letting go of yours fears, going after your true passion, and many other things. One of the best things about the course was, I got meet and learn about a lot of talented artists, all in on different paths, but all working towards making their dreams come true and learning to take flight. Flygirl Fridays is all about these wonderfully talented people and a little bit about them, so you can get to know them as well!

Please join me in welcoming

Lori from Leissner Art!

Please introduce yourself, who are you and what do you do?

My name is Lori Leissner.  I describe myself as a "desperate desk jockey" because I'm an artist who is still making a living as a Quality Assurance Specialist, spending time behind a desk in front of a computer when I really ought to be in my studio flinging some paint around. More importantly, I'm the mom of two teenagers, the wife of a good guy for over 20 years, a confirmed country dweller, critter collector, Diet Coke enthusiast, lover of junk stores, porch sitter and English history reader.  I do mixed media art.  Since I don't have any formal art training, I don't know what's not supposed to go together. So, for me, anything that can be glued down, painted over, layered up or cut down can happen. No rules.

What is something that you really love, and why?

I love to be up in my studio space, which is a corner of the playroom over the garage.  The ping pong table is my annexed art table.  I take my Ipod up there, turn up the volume, click on my favorite Christian rock(ish) music and jam out.  I love being creative and feeling connected to the Holy Spirit through the music.  Time flies in that space. 

What would your dream project be?

I would love to be designing products for a licensing launch (wouldn't we all??!!). :

What's the best piece of advice that you've ever received?

My dad wasn't the most warm and fuzzy fellow around.  He didn't abide whining.  If we said, "I can't", his response was ALWAYS, "Can't never could."  I'm sure I've had other good advice, but those are the words that echo in my head when I'm feeling challenged.  There's always a way.  Don't give up. Can't never could, because can't didn't try.  

Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from nature as a creation of God.  I love trees, birds, leaves, flowers, and butterflies.  I love a sunset, a full moon, a cow in the pasture, a cat in the sunshine, and all things green.  I love quotes and poetry about nature.  Those things move me to put things on canvas.

What do you think is the biggest thing holding you back?

I have a couple of things I need to shake loose from in terms of actually doing the art.  I'm a self-trained artist.  I need to do it more and learn more. I need to free myself of the need to be neat and clean and enjoy the process of loosening up the grip on the brush and just going with the flow.  In terms of being held back in a broader sense, the time that I have to devote to my art is limited by my real job.  But none of this is "holding me back".  It's more like "slowing me down". I'm getting there because I'm not giving up. :

What change do you think would most help your business grow?

Without question, more time to do art, to do online networking and promotion, and to do some local networking would help my business.  I've sold some things, so I think there's at least a little bit of a market for my art.  I just need more time to devote to it.  That's definitely going to be a New Year's resolution.

What's the biggest thing that you took with you from Flying Lessons?

The information provided in Flying Lessons was great.  I still need to go back and read again and underline and highlight and absorb.  However, the most valuable take away from the class is the support group built in via the Facebook group.  The support that is provided in that group is priceless.  I would have paid the registration fee for the class just to have had access to the group and would have considered it an amazingly good deal.

My contact info:

Email: Leissnerart@gmail.com

Blog:  www.Leissnerart.blogspot.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LeissnerArt

You can also find me at Pinterest and Twitter.  I'm LeissnerArt everywhere!

I am offering at 20% discount on anything in my shop through December 15.  Enter the code “MERRY”.