Lesley is an internationally known art quilter and mixed-media artist who has taught extensively in the US and as far away as Italy and Australia. She is the host and producer of the BlogTalk Radio show Art & Soul show, interviewing guest artists on creativity and artist success. Realizing that artists, both new and experienced, often need more than new ideas and techniques to fulfill their art dreams, Lesley founded Artist Success™, where she shares her experience and knowledge as a coach and mentor, providing solutions for the struggling artist. Here on CreateMixedMedia.com, Lesley will be blogging monthly on Creative Insights.
Q: What are you working on right now?
A: Interviews for my radio show
Q: What’s your current favorite, can’t-live-without-it tool?
A: My iPad.
Q: What is your least favorite technique that you still use anyway?
A: Basting a quilt.
Q: What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
A: Where do I begin?
Q: What’s the most inspiring trip you’ve ever taken or adventure you’ve ever had?
A: I love New Zealand and have had the honor of teaching there twice. Thanks to the hospitality of a dear friend, I have seen most of the north island. It’s the most peaceful, beautiful place on the planet.
Q: What’s the last thing you cooked?
A: White chicken chili
Q: If you could surround yourself with only one color, what would it be?
A: Blue, blue, blue.
Q: What one thing do you want to do that you haven’t done yet?
A: Write a bestseller
Q: What’s the best day you’ve ever had?
A: December 21, 1968. The day I met my husband.
Q: What’s today’s Word to Live By?
A: Today it’s hope
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: My morning Diet Pepsi
Q: What do you listen to when you create?
A: Lately, silence. Life’s too noisy.
Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: Teleportation. I love to travel, just hate the process of getting there.
Q: With whom would you love to spend one day making art?
A: Sheep Jones -www.sheepjones.com
Q: Do you have a talisman/power garment/ magical thing you wear?
A: I never go anywhere without my silver cuff (a former napkin ring that belonged to my grandmother), and the gold bracelet engraved June that belonged to my mother.
Q: When is your favorite time of day?
A: The end, when I snuggle into bed with a book.
Q: Why do you make art?
A: To make my soul visible.
Q: What is on your workspace right now?
A: Sewing machine, cutting mat, pins, thread, paint, urn full of rulers and scissors, TAP samples, jar of brushes……
Q: If you could re-do a classic movie, what would you remake and how?
A: It’s a Wonderful Life – successful female artist with grown children & grandchildren set in 2011. I’ll play the lead.
Q: What is your first memory?
A: Sunday night orange sherbet
Q: What’s your best piece of advice for artists?
A: You learn by doing, not thinking about doing.
Follow Lesley Riley on her web site www.ArtistSuccess.com.
