The World’s Got Talent – A Creative Mint

This week I am super excited to introduce to you Leslie, a proud Canadian, now living & enjoying life in sunny California. In my humble opinion, she is one of the most beautiful, talented & inspiring artists out there, who is the creative force behind all the wonderful & gorgeous creations featured on her lovely Blog called A Creative Mint. If you are at all inspired by colors, flowers, beautiful, delicate accessories, and overall enjoy gorgeous photography, I urge you to check out her Blog right after you finish reading the Interview below.

Ever since I first discovered Leslie’s blog a few months ago, I turn to it often to get my dose of inspiration. There is just so much pure beauty, art & awesomeness all around her blog, that I have to admit, it is quite addicting! Every single composition, vignette & photo is tastefully put together by this super talented artist. I am just so in love with Leslie’s work that I don’t think any amount of words could ever fully describe how much I adore the work of this fabulous lady.

I hope you enjoy the interview with the ever-so-talented artist below, along with a small sampling of her gorgeous work & please don’t forget to check out her lovely blog to see a lot more of her stunning art & photography.

Leyla: Please take a moment to introduce yourself?
Leslie: Hello my name is Leslie Shewring…it’s so funny introducing yourself online!

Leyla: Why did you decide to start a blog, and what’s the story behind the name?
Leslie: I decided to start a blog because I was inspired by reading other blogs. I thought what could I add to this amazing, creative conversation that is going on right now. As well, I wanted to start doing something creative and I thought a blog would be a good way to commit to that journey for myself. The name was decided over a weekend as I was in a rush to start producing something! Once I get started on something I want it done yesterday…

Leyla: On your blog, you mention you are originally from Canada. Although I wasn’t born in Canada myself, I’ve been living in Toronto for 8 years now, and I can’t help but feel proud that someone as talented as you is from Canada. May I ask which part of Canada you’re from?
Leslie: You are so nice! I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and grew up in the Victoria area on Vancouver Island. I am still quite a proud Canadian even though I have lived in the US for sometime now. I celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving and I have been known to hang a Canadian flag on July 1!

Leyla: What is the best & worst thing about living in California?
Leslie: There is not one best thing for me about living in Los Angeles. There are a lot of really nice things about living in LA, like the bright sunshine that lasts most of the year. The wide open sky, since we are essentially in a large desert like valley. There is the contagious energy of all these people, living in one area which is palpable for me the minute I get off the plane. I love the diversity of cultures, like the obvious influence of Mexico. There is the relaxed “beachy” lifestyle that seems to permeate everything. January is the best when the winds blow and clean out the air. I really, really like being a really, really tiny fish in a very, very large pond. The worst thing about Los Angeles is being far away from my family and of course, the pollution. Being that clean air is quite important, this rather ugly feature about LA tends to trump everything else…especially when you come from Vancouver Island!

Leyla: Since discovering your blog, I turn to it often to get my dose of inspiration from your most beautiful & unique projects. Where do you draw your inspiration to create such wonderful pieces of art?
Leslie:  Thank you! I draw inspiration from everything and anything…it is such a difficult question for me. What I create seems to be an accumulation of everything I have done, studied and seen. Today, I love reading blogs, magazines and books, as they are inspiring and motivating. I also love traveling and seeing new things.

Leyla: Every single project & photo you produce is so unique & different from each other, yet there is a cohesive approach to your style. At what age did you discover your interest and talent in what you do?
Leslie: It’s funny, we always did arts and crafts because my mother is an artist and it was a natural thing for her to do with us. I think I bought my first painting at an art show when I was eleven! I also loved art during school. However, something clicked when I was working on my Women’s Studies/Art History degree. I kept thinking I would go into Law or maybe try for a Master’s in Art History so that I could teach, but that whole time I had a part time job doing styling at a local home accessories store. I would often stay there till after midnight working away on the displays and doing the window styling…I spent hours! Often when friends would be out I would be there! One day it just clicked, why would I do anything else when this is so fun and thus I decided to pursue Interior Design. Once I got into the design field I knew I had made the best decision. Architecture followed and I have never looked back.

Leyla: Like all creative people, I am sure you have days when you might not feel motivated to create. During those times, what is the remedy that helps you get back to your usual self?
Leslie: I just try to keep showing up and even if I do not like the results I try to show up again the next day and try again and again…. eventually something starts to happen that I like and the motivation starts to build again.

Leyla: I know you have two beautiful, little children, and I am sure they keep you busy. How do you manage your time being a full time mom / wife and still have time & desire to create?
Leslie: It is a daily challenge for sure! I cannot escape the desire to create it is the finding time that is difficult, but necessary. I do not need much sleep so I find myself starting my paintings and crafty stuff after I get the kids to bed (coffee helps!). I now have a babysitter to help me on the days that I photograph. This way the kids can play outside and I can shoot photos and still be around to make lunch and put them down for their naps. I also have an extremely helpful and supportive husband, thank goodness!

Leyla: I’m not sure if your work has been published in print (magazines, books etc), and if it hasn’t, it absolutely should! Have you ever thought of writing a book on color, composition and photography? I have to admit that if you did, I would be the first to get a copy! =)
Leslie: You are so sweet! I had a black and white photograph published in a tiny pamphlet while in architecture school – that is my claim to fame! LOL! But no, seriously I just got into all this in the last six and a half months. A book or being published would be a great honor that I can aspire to.

Leyla: If you had the power to change one thing in the World today, what would it be & why?
Leslie: Oh my goodness what a question! There are many changes I would love to witness in my lifetime. The first thing that comes to mind is food and the production of food. There are serious problems with the North American diet and how that diet is produced. The health ramifications and costs are so extreme but not really addressed and the global environmental impact of our food production is staggering. I really try to live by the philosophy of “being the change you want to see in the world…”

Did you enjoy the interview & Leslie’s beautiful art/photography? Show some love by leaving your comments below. =)