Every artist has a story — each stroke, sketch, or crumpled piece of paper sitting by the trash bin is a testament to an artists’ ability to define their story through their works. Some artists’ artistic expression is rooted in their bloodline; others, like LesLea Ellison for instance, are driven by their natural creativity developing through exposure to the limitless world of art. 

Ellison’s story doesn’t begin with a history of being surrounded by artists who fueled her desire to create. Instead, she was introduced to the art world when a friend encouraged her to take an oil painting class at Florida State College at Jacksonville, formerly Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Immediately, Ellison’s creative curiosity for painting and drawing was sparked. Ellison says it was “out of nowhere” and left a lasting impression.

While Ellison has spent over 10 years cultivating her artistry, she’s still evolving and currently learning to find her expressive identity at the Milan Art Institute. 

“It’s all about finding your voice as an artist. A lot of people will lock into a certain style, but I feel like I can’t do that. I love the variety. I’m still trying to find my voice.”

Ellison specializes in hand painted and hand drawn artwork with a well-versed artistic style. She merges abstract features with realism creating her own sense of abstract expression, and experiments with different styles combined with vibrant, eye-catching colors.

“I love abstract and realism merged together. I love to be free with it. I don’t like to be boxed in [and] I enjoy sketching with charcoal. I’m really big with color and it seems like even more so lately the color has been popping. I’m kind of all over the place. I don’t stick to certain styles, it’s just a back and forth like an ebb and flow.”

Society often tries to box people in by creating labels or forcing you to choose a side. The subjectivity of art opens the door to receive scrutiny. Ellison experiences a lot of commentary from naysayers and critics who try to offer unsolicited advice about her work, colored by their lack of understanding.

“I think people view you how they want to view you and they think you should be or perform a certain way and do a certain thing. Don’t box me in because I’m always growing. I need you to take me as I am. This is me. I want to share ‘me’ with you, but can you take it?”

Sharing your creations with the world is an act of vulnerability, and Ellison isn’t afraid to show that side of herself; however, she notices that she’s become more intimated — a very unfamiliar feeling for her. 

“I desire to walk and step forward without intimidation. In doing that, I find it liberating, not only to myself but to others. I want to bring help to people every time I come to the canvas.” 

After the traumatic loss of her son, Kadesh, in 2018, Ellison swore she would never touch another canvas again. The distance, however, did not heal her grief, and she discovered the true purpose for her artistry ran deeper than just a genuine passion; it also served as a promise to her late son who referred to his mother as his “favorite artist.”

Upon her return to the canvas, Ellison learned the canvas was a place of release and used it to express her feelings and emotions. 

“When you come to the canvas, you’re facing all the fears that you deal with, and you’re confronting everything [that] is inside you. It’s almost like you’re exposed. So many times, I’ve wanted to walk away because people don’t understand. The Lord told me, ‘I want you to make the garage a studio and step into the grief and channel the pain.’” 

To honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday this year, Ellison felt compelled to create a piece in remembrance of him after listening to one of his speeches. In a racial climate that seems to make things black and white, her MLK portrait splatters vivid color and imagery over the tension-filled atmosphere.

“I love Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a supporter of loving your enemies and that is a constant theme in my life,” Ellison expresses. “It’s really a piece pleading for unification and freedom on all sides. The seeds that he sown with his words resound today because they were grounded in the word. His words are timeless. A timeless narrative about loving your enemies and blessing those that curse you. [It’s] the freedom [that] comes whenever we forgive, love one another, and treat each other how we want to be treated.”

One thing Ellison isn’t willing to risk is her freedom of expression. She values an open space and extends a piece of herself to someone else each time she revisits the canvas. As she continues to evolve, she is breaking through every wall that attempts to confine her. 

“I want people to know when I come to the canvas, I’m bringing you an intensive labor of love. My goal is to be a peacemaker through my work. People call artwork a masterpiece but really, you’re mastering peace, even within yourself. Overall, I just want to be an encouragement.”

Shop with Ellison at lesLeaellison.com, and follow her artistry journey on her blog at lesleaellisonfineart.com or watch behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram @lesleaellison.