Picture Book Studio

2021

Wishing for a Bright and Happy New Year!

2020 has been a very rough and tough year for many including myself.  It began with surgery in January to repair a rotator cuff tear, followed by lots of physical therapy. The Pandemic with its shut downs did not help matters as it cancelled all my shows except one. In early November as high winds tore roofing off my house, I was inside, quarrantined and recovering from Covid19. Now as I write I am recovering from a broken toe in my foot. 

But my life has been full of blessings as well.

So as I sat down to think of what I would create for 2021, my thoughts were to design with an uplifting image of hope and promise. While I know that the beginning of the new year falls in the winter and many of my previous images have contained winter symbols, I thought of rebirth, hence spring. The rainbow symbolises promise. 

So I wish you all a new year filled with happiness, joy, and blessings!

Tranquility - Flowers in Vase

With all the craziness of the world, it is nice to escape into creating another illustration. 

This illustration was inspired by the many flowers I saw in a little vacation place called Lakeside along Lake Erie.

What has been disheartening this year is most of our shows have been cancelled due to Covid19. Many shows find it hard too hard to meet all the state's guidelines. Selling a piece of art personally and seeing the smile on the customers face is far more rewarding than selling something online. There is something to seeing the genuine pleasure of the customer.

We did luck out and were able to participate in on show in the gated community of Lakeside, Ohio last week which could meet state guidelines. I can't tell you how many artists were glad to be there. Although the amount of people were less than usual, the sales, not  just for me, but others as well were better than usual. 

Lakeside, Ohio is an amazing place. It is like stepping in the past were many vacationers ride bikes, walk, or travel in golf carts to get around this little vacation place along the lake. There was live music in the evening. The weather was great.

It was a like a slice of heaven. 

Still working on creating more illustrations for therapy.

Here are 2 more.

X Marks the Spot

I finally got around to designing another letter X for my collection of illustrated letters I call Alphabet Soup. I think when coming up with this idea, I wanted to escape from being stuck in the house during quarantine. Lol.

Wonder Begins Wisdom

I was inspired to create this piece upon reading this quote: Wonder Begins Wisdom by Socrates.

By clinking on Art Prints for Sale on my webpage you can find this art on other items as well as shown below. 

Because of the quarantine I have made it available as a facial mask through Fine Art America.

You can also fine it as a pillow as well!

Stay safe...stay well...stay creative!

Quarantine has been no fun.

But with the quarantine I have taken the time to create a few more designs. My right arm is almost a 100% due to physical therapy, and that helps when creating some more fun illustrations to brighten gray days at home.

Here are my latest pieces I have completed so far this spring.

Spring Surpise!

Butterfly Blessing

S is for Sheep

Home is Where you Blossom

Red Bird with Flowers in Vase

It has been fun to do these. Truly creating art is a blessing!

My hope is they will bring smiles and uplift all who view them.

If you are interest in purchasing a print, go to the menu and click on to purchase prints.

It has been a slow and difficult winter.

This past fall, I suffered a tear on my rotator cuff and finally had surgery in January. It has been a slow and gradual recovery. That being said I have been able to create some new pieces with thanks to being able to us a pen tool with my Wacom tablet when I finally was able to move my right hand.

Here are my latest pieces I have completed this winter.

M for Mouse, Map and Motorcycle

Country Teapot with Hen and Chicks

Forsythia Spring Bouquet

It was wonderful therapy to be able to work on these.

The good news is I have been featured on the Artist Run Website Blog which you can find on this link: https://www.artistrunwebsite.com/blog/3290/The+Art+and+Illustration+Portfolio+of+Valerie+Lesiak

A big thank you! You have made my day!

Been busy and have missed reporting shows I have been participating in.  So here are the remaining shows that I will be participating in this year.

The Berea Arts Fest

Downtown Berea, OH

September 8th

10-5PM

Rocky River Fall Arts Festival

Downtown Rocky River on Old Detroit Rd

Sept 14th

10-5PM

Ohio Mart

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

714 N Portage Path

Akron, OH

October 3-6

10-5PM

Hope to see you there!

Here is a list of upcoming shows I'll be participating in this July!

Cain Park Arts Festival

Cleveland Heights, OH

July 12-14

Friday 3-8pm

Saturday 10-8pm

Sunday 12-5pm

46th Annual Art in the Park

Courthouse Square

Medina, OH

Sunday, July 21, 2019

11-5pm

Lakeside Crafts & Art Show
150 Maple Ave

Lakeside - Marblehead, OH 43440

Thursday and Friday 9-6pm

Saturday 9-5pm

Hope to see you there!

It is that time of year!

A little later than usual, but this year we are kicking off our first outdoor show this Saturday June 15th.

So if you are in the vacinity of Bayvillage, OH come see us at: 

BAYARTS ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Huntington Playhouse Dr

Bayvillage

Saturday 10AM - 4PM

Come see some of my new pieces like 

LOVE BLOOMS HERE!

Hope to see you there!