SUMMER FLOWERS...CELEBRATING SUMMER!

 SUMMER FLOWERS IN DECORATIVE WATERING CAN

    Summer is speeding by.

Still celebrating summer by playing with creating a new version of mixed flowers in a decorative watering can.

Have a Beautiful Day!

BLESSINGS OF GOOD FRIENDS

 FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

My newest illustration was inspired after creative burn out due to several surgeries the last couple of years. I was suffering burn out...sadly not feeling very inspired. 

The inspiration grew by the treasure of friends who are a tonic to one's soul when facing struggles. As I browsed by sketch book I came across a sketch I did of birds perched in friendship on the rim of a coffee cup.

When thinking of those who uplift me in life, I pushed myself to take the sketch a step further.

Good friends are truly a treasure in life!

MORE FLORAL FUN

Daisies and Hydrangea in Blue and White Vase 

Having fun doing new versions of florals in vases as I look forward to spring.

You can fine this illustration as seen above and below on various products on by clicking on this link:

Fine Art America

Cherishing the Last Days of Summer

 Summer Floral Sunshine

The last days of August inspired this illustration as I hang on to the last days of Summer.

FLOWER FUN!

 

Teacup with Flowers

Chasing the winter grays away with this newest illustration.

Check out this illustration on several products on as shown below by clicking on:

Fine Art America

Enjoy!

Looking Forward to Spring!

 Mixed Flowers in Blue and White Vase

Winter has been holding on and so to chase the winter blues away I have started to work on some floral illustrations. 

Here is my latest in anticipation of Spring!

Check it out on Fine Art America!

It makes a great pillow to freshen up one's decor!

Or a fun Summer tote bag!

Here is hoping Spring arrives soon!

Thinking About Spring!

Bird on a Clothesline with Lilacs

Tired of winter blahs, I decided to redo and revise an older spring illustration of Bird on a Clothesline as seen below.

I liked the subject matter of my original illustration, but decided to make some changes like changing the bird and adding less rigid lilacs. The project helped to put the gray winter blahs at bay.

I also decided to create a pattern from the lilacs that you can find on some of my offerings on Fine Art America.

As you can see I love lilacs and thought they would be fun on things like shower curtains and tote bags. 

You can check out more here by clicking on the link below:

Fine Art America

 

 

Fondness for Flowers

Kitchen Bouquets

I have to confess, I have a fondness for flowers. 

They brighten up the day, room, or garden.

I had worked on a special project below for a friend to create an illustration for her sister's birthday which became an inspiration for the variation you see above.

I liked the bottle with the daisies that I decided to use it or rework it in the top illustration. Rework was a term the was used where I worked at American Greetings years ago where we would create new images out of older pieces of art. It would cut costs yet gave the ability to freshen up a line of cards. When artists started to work digitally, the magic of being able to move, change scale, layout, and color opened new doors in creating illustrations. 

Flower Fun: Red Bird with Flowers in Vase

Red Bird with Flowers in Vase

Creating new designs like this newest one above is a wonderful remedy to gray skies and snow on a spring day. 

Here it is as a pillow!

And a carry all pouch!

Check them all out and more by clicking on this link:

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/red-bird-with-flowers-in-vase-valerie-drake-lesiak.html

Home is Where You Blossom

Home is Where You Blossom

While stuck indoors during the pandemic, I am taking my time to create. update, and add variety of color options. 

Here below is another version from years ago.

I like this one, but I thought to do another color option for customers and see which one has more appeal. If you like leave a comment as to which one you like better.

Peekaboo Bunny and Bird

Peekaboo Bunny and Bird

While on quarantine due to the coronavirus, I have more opportunity to design. 

Here is my newest illustration to uplift us into Spring. Sending out love and prayers to all as we work to get through this. 

I have also design it for a throw pillow.

Check it out by clicking here: 

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/peekaboo-bunny-and-bird-valerie-drake-lesiak.html?product=throw-pillow

Hang in there my friends.

Forsythia Spring Bouquet

Forsythia Spring Bouquet

By February I really start to tire of winter and all its grays. I miss the colors of spring. So here is a new illustration to capture some of the colors and flowers that make spring so welcoming.

I also dedicate this to my mother whose birthday is tomorrow. She loved spring as well.

Happy Birthday Mom!  

An Attitude of Gratitude

Begin Each Day with a Grateful Heart

I came upon this sentiment and thought to illustrate it. I don't know who said it, but I do know when I practice it I feel better. 

Love Blooms Here

Love Blooms Here

I am filled with the beauty of spring!

Here is my newest illustration.

Need a throw pillow for that sunroom?

Check out my art clicking on the link below:

Fine Art America

Summer Flowers in Coffee Pot

Summer Flowers in Coffee Pot

It has been a slow spring. I must confess I miss the warmer weather. We have had lots of gray skies here in northern Ohio, so I took an older illustration and gave it a new twist.

I had been reviewing some of my older illustrations as I do from time to time and thought to give the one below a new look for the up coming spring and summer shows.

Coffee Pot Surprise

Coffee Pot Surprise is still available on my Fine Art America site, but now there is a new color look available in this design.

Many of my illustrations are also available as pillows, tote bags and more. Just click on this link:

Fine Art America

Revisit, Revise, Make a New!

Flowers in Watering Can

One of the things that happens when participating in art festivals, is doing a lot of sitting and observing while customers come in to view the my art on the walls of my tent. As I watch them, I become my own worst critic. The blessing is that I work digital.

Below is one that fell under my critical eye that I changed as you see above design for an updated look.

It is subjective, but as I sat there in my chair, I decided that it could be better. It was as if I was in a hurry with the first attempt with the one with the yellow plaid background. 

I am glad I took a second look.

Cultivate Kindness

Cultivate Kindness

Here is a new one to celebrate the month of April! 

You can find many versions of my latest illustration for sale on

Fine Art America

Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude

Once in a while I like to create an illustration with a quote of some kind. 

Being grateful does help to set the tone of the day. It is kind of like looking at the glass half full rather than half empty. One starts the day on a positive foot rather than the negative.

Lots of wisdom is these words.

Revisiting and Refreshing: Two Birds on a Watering Can

Two Birds on a Watering Can

While sitting in art festivals, there are some designs I target to refresh.

The design below was the original, and while I sold quite a few, I thought it use a little more punch.

Updating Updating art goes back to my days as a greeting card designer. Even good sellers got updates over time.

This time, I also added a little more live interest to tell more of a story by adding the beetle.

This design is now available on Fine Art America 

It is also available on other products such as a tote bag.

It is a nice way to escape the winter blahs!

Looking For Spring!

Looking for Spring!

You can tell Cleveland winters get to me with all the cold, snow, and gray skies. 

I think the gray skies are the worse part.

So of course while counting the days till spring, I created this illustration to add a tough of brightness to this day.

Here's hoping this winter is a short one.