Hello my artist family!
Today I get to introduce you to Leslie Tabor from Bulverde, Texas, and I just love how her story reminds us that sometimes creativity finds its way into our lives exactly when we need it most.
Leslie’s art journey began eight years ago after her husband’s job moved them from Illinois to Texas. That meant leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar. And because her husband travels frequently for work, Leslie suddenly found herself with a lot more time on her own.
So, instead of letting boredom and loneliness take over, she decided to take an online drawing class.
And oh my goodness, look what that one little decision started! One class opened the door to more art opportunities, more learning, and eventually a whole new creative journey. It just goes to show that sometimes the smallest “I think I’ll try this” moment can lead somewhere pretty wonderful.
When I asked Leslie what inspires her creativity most, her answer made me smile because it says so much about the way artists experience the world.
She finds inspiration in the beauty of nature that surrounds us every day, especially the tiny details other people might miss in the busyness of life.
I absolutely love that.
As artists, we get to notice things. A little shift in color. The shape of a shadow. The way light hits a leaf. Things the rest of the world might hurry right past can stop us in our tracks and have us thinking, “Ooooh... I need to paint that!”
That sense of observation comes through beautifully in Leslie’s approach to painting.
One of Leslie’s favorite things about painting with Let’s Dabble is that it isn’t about creating something “perfect.”
As she puts it:
“It is about noticing colors and shapes. Blending and painting what I see is so satisfying.”
YES! That is such a wonderful way to describe it.
Painting becomes so much more joyful when we give ourselves permission to really see, experiment, blend, play, and enjoy what’s happening on the canvas instead of worrying about whether every little detail is perfect.
And that brings me to what Leslie had to say about DabblePaints™:
“DabblePaints are seriously the most amazing paints I have used. They are consistently creamy and dreamy to work with.”
“Creamy and dreamy” might just be one of my favorite descriptions ever! There’s something so satisfying about dipping into paint that has that buttery consistency and watching those beautiful colors move across the canvas.
When I asked Leslie what advice she would give someone who is just beginning to paint, she shared something simple and important:
“Take it slow and enjoy the process. Don’t be afraid to play and discover what you can do.”
I couldn’t agree more.
You don’t have to know exactly where your art journey is going when you begin. Leslie certainly couldn’t have known that signing up for an online drawing class eight years ago would open all these creative doors.
Sometimes you just have to start. Play with the paint. Notice the colors. Make discoveries. And give yourself the time and freedom to see what happens.
Leslie, thank you for sharing your story and reminding our artist family to slow down and notice the beauty around us. I’m so glad art found its way into your life during a season of change—and even happier that you kept following where that first drawing class led you.
Your story is such a beautiful reminder that creativity can bring connection, discovery, and joy into our lives when we least expect it.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.
XO,
Jen
