News Archives - Lel Newman Artist

New duo show and Italy inspiration

June 17, 2026

Summer sunshine has arrived! I have some news and inspirations to share.

Synchronicity : Abstracts in Harmony
July 6 – August 1 | Front Street Gallery, Poulsbo

I am thrilled to invite you to our upcoming duo exhibition! This July, my husband Tim Celeski and I are joining forces to bring you a unique blend of color and form.

I will be debuting new oil paintings alongside my Shapemaking limited edition prints. Tim will be showcasing his incredible sculptural wood pieces and 3D-printed works.

Join us for the opening reception! 🗓️ Saturday, July 11, from 5–8 pm

Stop by during the Poulsbo Art Walk to enjoy the artwork, catch up over refreshments, and celebrate with us. We would absolutely love to see you there!

Front Street Gallery is open every day 10 am–6 pm, staffed by artists.
18881-A Front Street NE, Poulsbo, WA

Italy!

Tim and I had the pleasure of visiting Rome and Florence in May. Inspirations abound. It completely recharged my creative battery.

New art cards!

My colorful digital art is now available on blank-inside greeting cards. I print the cards myself with the same care as my limited edition prints. They’re printed with archival inks on 100% cotton Moab paper. They have a great feel. Only available at Front Street Gallery.

Front Street Gallery is open every day 10 am–6 pm, staffed by artists.
18881-A Front Street NE, Poulsbo, WA

That’s all for now, thanks for reading. Now get outside and enjoy summertime!

2025 Art in the Woods Studio Tour + Fall shows

October 28, 2025

It’s been a while! and now the leaves are turning and our much-needed autumn rains have arrived. Don’t let that stop you from getting out to see some amazing art this season. Here’s what I’ve got coming up…

TLDR: 2025 Fall and holiday shows

Art in the Woods (come visit our studio)
Nov. 7-9, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Indianola Holiday Art Fair, Sat. Nov. 15, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Plus, find my work at Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo

Exterior entrance to the woodshed, with colorful autumn foliage

You’re invited to our open studio

Our Indianola home and workspace we call Fernwoods is on the North Kitsap Art in the Woods Studio Tour. My husband, Tim Celeski, and I will be showing our work. Art in the Woods is a self-guided tour of 19 artists’ studios with over 65 participating local artists.

Art in the Woods Studio Tour, Nov. 7-9

Fri., Sat., Sun., Nov. 7-9, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tour website)

Studio visitors browsing artwork — We set up in Tim’s bright and spacious shop.

What you’ll see at Fernwoods

I’ll have my contemporary abstracts displayed and available for purchase, including new oil paintings, Shapemaking prints, digital paintings, and mixed media drawings. I’ll have my iPad handy and am happy to demo how I use it to create my digital paintings.

First peek – new original oil paintings!

Shapemaking Glyph Series

Tim will have his contemporary wood sculpture and other surprises on display and available for purchase. Check out his “Maker Workstation“, a modular workbench he designed and wrote about in Popular Woodworking. Maybe see a 3D printing demo. Check out his Instagram @timcel, @celeski.digital, and @woodworking.digital.

Tim’s Leschi backless bench (one available)

Finding Fernwoods

From the Seattle side, hop on a ferry. Indianola is about 30 minutes north of the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal and 12 minutes south of the Kingston Terminal. Check the ferry schedule online. Our address is 21072 Fern St NE, Indianola.

Many yellow “Art in the Woods” signs will direct you to the studios. You can pick up a map/brochure at any studio or see the map online. We’re studio No. 4. Rest assured, if you make it to Indianola, you’ll see lots of signs pointing the way.

There are two other studios very nearby. Meredith Chernik’s Fern Street Pottery ( just down the street from us), and Sydni Sterling Studio, where Melinda West also be showing.

Also coming up quick…

Indianola Holiday Art Fair
Saturday, November 15

9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the IBIC Clubhouse, it’s always lively! Here’s the Google map.

2025 Holiday Art Fair, Indianola Clubhouse, Nov. 15, 9 am-3 pm

I’m in Front Street Gallery!

If you’re in downtown Poulsbo stop into Front Street Gallery. It’s an artist-run cooperative, I was thrilled to be juried in and join the gallery in March. We have a great community of artists showing their work.

I’ll be working at the gallery working Friday, Nov. 21, 10 am-2pm.

Enjoy the change of season, and I hope to see you at Fernwoods for Art in the Woods Studio Tour!

I’ve joined Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo!

March 3, 2025

I’ve long admired Front Street Gallery, an artist-run cooperative in charming, historic downtown Poulsbo (aka Little Norway). I’m excited to join their creative community and have a place to show my work year-round. They have a wonderful group of artists/owners. I’ve joined forces with some favorite local artists: Paula Gill, Sue Skelly, Steve Parmelee, Leigh Knowles, Caroline Davis, and about 20 others that I look forward to getting to know and working with.

Front Street Gallery is staffed by the artists and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s good small shopping.

Abstract artwork hanging on a gallery wall — My limited edition prints and mixed media originals at Front Street Gallery

Leslie standing outside in front of the gallery window — There’s always fresh water for the dogs, (and in March my art is in the window)

Poulsbo Art Walk Second Saturday, 5-8pm

The gallery opens a new show every month with the featured artist’s opening reception as part of the Art Walk. Meet artists and enjoy some deluxe refreshments. I’m usually there. Contact me in advance if you want to confirm and meet up with me there.

Front Street Gallery
18881-A Front St. NE
Poulsbo, WA
Open everyday 10 am-6 pm
Poulsbo Art Walk Second Saturday,5–9 pm

I’m working!

If you’re in the neighborhood, please come in and say hello. I’ll be in the gallery these dates and times:

Thurs., March 13, 2–6 pm;
Thurs., March 21, 10 am–2 pm;
Sun. April 6, 10 am–2 pm;
Fri., April 18, 10 am–2 pm;
Fri., May 9, 10 am–2 pm;
Thurs., May 22, 2–6 pm.

About Downtown Poulsbo, Washington

Downtown Poulsbo (aka Little Norway) is on Liberty Bay. It’s a charming, walkable historic district with museums, galleries, shopping, restaurants, a marina, park, and more. A few highlights near Front Street Gallery are Sluy’s Bakery (donuts + lots more), Nordiska (Scandinavian and Nordic goods & gifts), Indigo Plum (shoe store), Liberty Bay Books, Marina Market (infinite types of licorice and supplies for boaters using the marina), Boehm’s Chocolates, and antique malls to get lost in.

Poulsbo is located on the Kitsap Peninsula a ferry ride and a 30 minute drive away from Downtown Seattle, or a 25 minute drive south of Kingston Ferry Terminal (Kingston/Edmonds route).

History and facts at the City of Poulsbo website.
More about things to do at the Visit Poulsbo website.

Port Townsend Art in the Hospital

February 20, 2025

Orange dark violet, green organic shaped abstract artwork by Lel Newman — (A big) Bloom, 40 x 40 in., is on display at Jefferson Health Care until June 2025

Jefferson Healthcare
The Healing Nature of Art
February to June 2025

Jefferson Healthcare Main Lobby and many other areas
834 Sheridan St, Port Townsend

Eight of my larger framed works are hanging at Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend. Thank you to Northwind Art for the opportunity.

From their website: “Northwind Art curates exhibits for Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center, placing original artwork throughout the hospital. This important partnership seeks to support our community by bringing beautiful art to patients, staff and visitors — all who walk through the doors of the healthcare facility.

More than 30 works are on view and available for purchase through Northwind Art, including creations by mixed-media artists Jordan Carter, Leslie K Newman and Patrick Slattery, and photographer Jeff Sweet. All are local artists.”

You are welcome to go view the work during their regular open hours, the hospital requests that you check in at the front desk to let them know that you’re there to see the art. Preview the works on the Northwind Art website.

Unfolding a collaboration with Bloedel Reserve

August 4, 2024

I was honored to create new “Shapemaking” art for the Bloedel Reserve 2024 Garden Party invitation “Unfold.” Thank you to Etta Lilienthal, Bloedel Reserve Communications Manager, and Tammy Fujihara, independent Art Director/designer. I enjoyed collaborating with you both! The top notch printing was by LithoCraft (Carol Warren).

Invitation with bold artwork opened to a tall vertical format

Click the image above to see the printed invitation unfolding on Instagram.

It is not quite abstract; you will see plant forms and birds unfolding. The tall, skinny format was challenging as I’m partial to squares. Here’s another video showing the artwork and a lovely Bloedel Reserve landscape.

Bloedel Reserve is a 140-acre inspiring natural wonderland on Bainbridge Island. Visit their website for details on how to visit or attend the Garden Party fundraiser. The Garden Party is August 8.