News

100 Days of Shapemaking 2023 

My 2023 100 Day Art Project kicked off on February 22 and is quickly coming to an end on June 2. This is my fifth time doing the 100 Day Project and my fourth “Shapemaking” challenge. Every day for 100 consecutive days, I create an abstract hard-edge, flat color composition and post it on Instagram (and Facebook). I have ten days to go!

Always abstract

I’m exploring how seemingly simple shapes can be created and combined to make something new and unique. I’m playing with space and form, sculpting in two dimensions. And, of course, there is the element of COLOR. I’m like a kid in a candy store, yum! 

Ten more to go!

Shown are days 78-89. You can see the whole series on Instagram or my art Facebook page. I appreciate the support from the IG/FB Community, even though the algorithm favors ads, suggested accounts, and reels these days. But hey, I’ve stuck with it.

Why, oh why? – It’s about time

Why would I do this to myself? Well, I was itching to make more of my hard-edge shape-based artworks, or as I like to call them, “Shapemaking.” I know Shapemaking is a verb, but for me, that’s what Art is — action, creation, and doing. I work until I come to a place of completion and satisfaction, OR I run out of time. That’s where the 100 Day project comes in — it’s about time. Every day it requires action and completion. I must work it out (as much as the day allows). I can’t get stuck on one piece. Instead, I move forward, knowing tomorrow is another chance to find pure satisfaction. So, out of the 100, I’ll have mined some gems. It’s time well spent.

Shapemaking 2023 – No. 37
Shapemaking 2023 – No. 13
Shapemaking 2023 – No. 73
Shapemaking 2023 – No. 20

New prints coming soon

I’ll add selections from the 2023 series to my limited-edition print offerings.I have some favorites. Let me know if you do as well. View them on Instagram.

Subscribe to my email list to be notified. Thanks for reading and looking!

Shapemaking 2023 – No. 45
Shapemaking 2023 – No. 46

A 2023 CVG Show award for In Port

I was surprised and pleased to learn my digital painting “In Port” won an Honorable Mention award at the 2023 CVG Show. Thank you to Juror Carla O’Conner. She did a wonderful job, It’s a diverse and interesting exhibit, full of gems. See all the award winners.

The 2023 CVG Show – January 14 – February 24 at Collective Visions Gallery
331 Pacific Ave, Downtown Bremerton,
Open Wed–Thurs 11am-4pm, Fri-Sat: 11am–6pm
See the CVG Show art, artists, and event schedule.

Photo by friend and fellow CVG artist Sandy Haight

Welcoming 2023

Witnessing celebrations like the New Year’s Eve Indianola beach bonfire and the joyous Edmonds Polar bears plunge into chilly waters on New Year’s Day was an excellent start for me. The smiles and positive energy radiated in the crowds and onward to the universe, I’m sure.  

The epic New Year’s Eve Indianola beach bonfire, fueled by Christmas trees, warmed hardy swimmers (and non-swimmers alike 😉 More photos.
Edmonds Uplift Society Polar Bear Plunge New Year’s Day – Link to video (I was a spectator)

Grateful

I’m grateful to you, all my website visitors, and folks who came out to chat, view, and purchase my artwork in 2022. On New Year’s Eve, I delivered and helped install a 40 x 40 inch “Landing Party” (no. 2 of 3) in its new home. It was a wonderful way to end the year. I’m primed to make more art and find new ways/places to share in 2023. Onward!

I’m a 2023 CVG Show invited artist

Good news! My digital painting “In Port” has been accepted into the 2032 CVG Show – the annual Washington State Juried Art Competition and Show. It’s a diverse exhibit featuring works by artists across the state. Jurors award cash prizes, and it has a rich offering of related events. 

The 2023 CVG Show – January 14 through February 24 at Collective Visions Gallery
331 Pacific Ave, Downtown Bremerton
Preview the art, artists, and event schedule.

Abstract artwork with blue and orange shapes by Leslie K Newman
In Port digital painting, limited edition archival print, 15.5 x 15.5 in image size, edition of 20. 20.5 x 20 in. framed $475 (unframed $300)

Like all my digitally created artwork, “In Port” is available in several sizes; each edition is limited, and the archival prints are signed and numbered. After being featured in my last email newsletter, No. 1 of 20 found a home in a Seattle corporate workplace. Woot!

Thanks for reading. I wish you and the world peace, health, and happiness in 2023.

2022 Art in the Woods Studio Tour + upcoming shows

It’s Fall! Finally, the rain and winds arrived and cleared out the awful wildfire smoke. It’s time to announce upcoming art events where I’m showing my work. 

TLDR: 2022 Upcoming shows

  • Art in the Woods (our place is on the tour!)
    Nov. 11-13, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Indianola Holiday Art Fair, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Bainbridge Island Winter Studio Tour, Dec. 2-4 

You’re invited to our open studio

2022 Art in the Woods

Tim and I will be showing our art together as part of the North Kitsap peninsula Art in the Woods Studio Tour. It’s a self-guided tour of 20 Artists’ studios, with over 50 participating local artists. 

Come on out to Fernwoods, that’s what we call our place in Indianola, Washington. It’s where my husband, Tim Celeski, and I live and work. It’s tucked up in the woods, and yes, it has a lot of ferns! 

Art in the Woods Studio Tour, Nov. 11-13

Fri., Sat., Sun., Nov. 11-13, 2022, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tour website)

What you’ll see at Fernwoods

My limited edition abstracts: expressive digital paintings, and the modern Shapemaking series, will be displayed and available for purchase. A selection of mixed media originals from my 2021 100-Day Project, Abstract Sketchbook, will also be shown. I’ll have my iPad handy and am happy to demo how I use it to create my digital paintings.

Flat color abstract composition in pink and green
A Gift, Shapemaking 2018, No. 89, available in several sizes.
Red Wrap from my new Glyph Series
Limited edition archival print, edition of 20
22 x 17 in. framed $475 (unframed $300)
Other sizes are available.
Posing with the Shapemaking series.
Limited edition archival prints, 2021 Art in the Woods
In Port, digital painting
Visitor, digital painting

My husband, Tim Celeski, will have his contemporary wood sculpture and other surprises on display and available for purchase. Maybe see a 3D printing or CNC demo. We’ll be set up in his spacious woodworking shop. Check out his Instagram @timcel@celeski.digital, and @woodworking.digital (yes, he has three accounts!).

Below are some fun pieces from Tim’s B Flat series.

Visitors at last year’s open studio.

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, because it’s subject to change these days. Our address is 21072 Fern St NE, Indianola.

There will be lots of yellow “Art in the Woods” signs directing you to the studios. You can pick up a map/brochure along the way, view the map online, or download the Map PDF. We’re studio No. 6. So 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 (Studio 5 just down the street from us), and Sydni Sterling Studio (Studio 4).

Also coming up quick…

Indianola Holiday Art Fair, Sat. Nov. 19

9 am–3 pm at the IBIC Clubhouse, it’s always lively! Here’s the Google map.

Bainbridge Island Winter Studio Tour, Dec. 2-4

Like last year I’ll be at the Grange with friends Paula Gill and Sydni Sterling. Check the BIST website for the list of artists and the tour map.

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

Big Landing Party special delivery

This summer, a collector was smitten and purchased Landing Party at the 4×4: Art by Design exhibit in Port Townsend. It couldn’t fit in their car, so Tim and I delivered it after the show. It was a fun field trip for us, and gratifying to meet the buyer and see my work go out into the world. It’s 40 x 40 in., number 1 in an edition of 3.

I love seeing the Shapemaking series works big. They make an impact. Please contact me if you’re interested in large size prints. 24 x 24 in. (edition of 5), and 40 x 40 in. (edition of 3).

Leslie with large framed artwork in a buyer's home
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