Changes

The CURTAIN QUEEN…

is now the SKETCHER!

In keeping with the new focus in my life, sketching and painting, I’ve retired my old license plate and gotten myself a new one. I love it! Now my Chrysler minivan has been converted from a drapery delivery vehicle to the sketchmobile!

For the past thirteen years, I’ve enjoyed making people’s homes more
beautiful by designing and fabricating custom window treatments,
slipcovers, and bedding through my business, Leslie Fehling Designs. Along the way, I taught
classes at conferences around the country and here at my home, sharing with other drapery
professionals the embellishment techniques that gave my work a special
touch of creativity and originality. It was fulfilling and rewarding, and I’m happy that my business was a success.

But for the past several years, I’ve been growing more and more excited about watercolors and sketchbook journaling, and less excited about the drapery business. Sewing has begun to take a back seat to art. So I’ve decided to take a sabbatical from my drapery workroom for a time (or maybe forever?) to focus on what I am longing to do: sketch, paint, and share my love of sketchbook journaling with others by teaching.

Your encouragement over the past few years, my dear readers and friends, has been instrumental in giving me the courage to follow a new path. Thank you so much!

Change is good, and life is all about growing and seeking and learning. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

10 Comments

  • Congratulations on making this change – I wish you lots of luck. Will you be teaching in person or online or both?

    Reply
    • I'd like to do both, Cheryl. I've been researching options for conducting online classes, but haven't decided on anything yet. And live workshops would be great. I love the energy that happens when teaching in person. I'm open to suggestions, so if you know of a venue that might be interested in having me teach, just let me know.

      Reply
  • Wow – what a surprise to hear about your change of direction/focus. I love all of what you do – your sketching/painting as well as all the window/furniture coverings that you've posted. You are very creative and I love your sense of design. Best wishes on your new ventures and I'll hope to be able to take one of your future classes!

    Reply
    • I hope we'll have a chance to meet one of these days, Claire. You've been a faithful reader of my blog for quite awhile now, and I really appreciate your thoughtful comments and encouragement.

      Reply
  • Leslie,
    I am a silent follower of your blog and I love your home designs that you share on your blog. I can really appreciate the talent involved in creating window treatments, etc. as I dislike sewing. But your sketching and watercolors I can really relate to. I love, love , love your style , your sketches and your watercolors. I have taken several online workshops in sketching and watercolors and to have you in that venue would be exciting. I don't know if you have every heard of Creative Workshops but they have very talented people giving workshops and you would fit right in. Another blog I follow religiously is Martha Lever's Art de Jour – she is a contributor at Creative Workshops and is a very talented painter in all mediums.

    Your change from "sewing/designing" to sketching and painting will be exciting for you….and the best of luck as well. I really hope you consider giving online classes – you will then be able to reach more people – like me!!!!

    Your license plate is spot on and I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your talents and sorry I got so windy!!!

    Reply
    • I'm glad you came out of the shadows to write to me, Fran! I'll be sure to check out Creative Workshops – thanks so much for telling me about them.

      Reply
  • Wow.. quiet the change but its all Art. I used to sew a lot but then I got into painting and that became my creative outlet and now sketching has been added to that outlet. I enjoy it so much more. :)) Happy sketching. I love coming here to see your work. Its wonderful & inspiring and I love your new license plate.

    Reply
  • I just found your blog (stumbled across your ingenious method for tufted slipcovers) – I would like to stick around for the art now 🙂 I am merely a craft person (I can do things that have instructions, lol), but I admire and appreciate artists, so I look forward to seeing what you create~

    Reply

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I’m Leslie. A painter, teacher, and lover of all things creative. A sketchbook artist who captures everyday life on the pages of my illustrated journals. I love sharing, connecting, and encouraging people to find their creative voice through sketchbook journaling. Read more about me, my art, and my life HERE.

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