Canvas Rebels Interview – March 2022

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leslie Kell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

My artwork is created using an original technique that synthesizes elements of Illustration, design, and photography. The skills required are multi-faceted and the tools range from my camera to an array of Adobe Creative Cloud software. While I hold a BA with a background in painting and illustration, the technical aspects of my work are self-taught. I’ve developed a deep knowledge base in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign over the years as a professional designer. The photography facet of my practice has had a more compressed timeline. A formal education as a photographer would have created a foundation that accelerated a higher level of technical skill. Alternatively, I’ve spent many hours in workshops, online courses and sifting through information in an effort to elevate my knowledge. The meshing of these skills has developed over the years. But as we know, the world moves fast and it’s a constant process. I believe the most essential skills in mastering any craft are curiosity, persistence, and prolific practice. With that level of commitment, anything is possible.   Read the full interview here.