About

AWARDS

Round Rock Art – Word(scapes) – juried exhibit – “We Blink in the Brightness” Awarded First Place

Re-Imagine 2019, Round Rock Arts – “Learning to See” Awarded 1st Place Photography 

The BIG Show, 2018 Round Rock Arts Juried Show – “What Have I Done? ” Awarded Honorable Mention, Juror: Nick Ramos

Light Space and Time Gallery 5th Annual “CityScapes” Art Exhibition “Hear the Highway Breathing” selected for a Special Merit Award, juror: Carolyn Edlund, www.artsyshark.com  The gallery received 676 entries from 17 different countries from around the world. See the Catalog

North Hills Gallery: Creative Arts Society Juried Show – “Will I Still be in your Eyes and on Your Mind?” Awarded Best of Show

Free Expressions Juried Show: Dougherty Arts Center – “Expecting to Fly” Awarded Best of Show

The ArtList.com People’s Choice Award – March 2013 “Congratulations to Leslie Kell the Feb. 2013 Viewer’s Choice Winner with a whopping 475 Votes! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leslie-Kell/72463678680″

Manhattan Arts International “Celebrating the Healing Power of Arts” Online Exhibition Award of Excellence Winner : “Tree Museum”

TEXT

Canvas Rebels, The Story Behind the Idea and Learning the Craft

Voyage Austin, Change Makers Series

Almost Real Things, Issue 20: Creative Combo, featured artist

ShoutoutDFW, August 2020, “The lessons we’ve learned along the way”

Almost Real Things, Issue 17: Process-ing, featured artist

Artsy Shark, Artist Media Kit, Video interview for online course

VoyageHouston,  May 2019, Artist Interview, Thought-Provokers series

“Into the Sun“, featured artwork on the covers of Austin All Natural and NARM Quarterly publications.

BEHIND THE ART, Podcast interview brought to you by Artisans Connect Gallery

Art Rendezvous, Episode 4, online interview

Voyage Houston Magazine  

February 2019
“Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Building an artistic practice can be compared to chiseling through a wall…”

Voyage Dallas Magazine  

July 2018
“Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Kell.
Leslie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far. I was raised in Garland and began my journey as a painter and illustrator until transitioning to a career as a graphic artist….”

boredpanda: Surreal Digital Art Opens A Portal To An Alternative Universe

September 2016
Artist Leslie Kell is obsessed with transforming her photography into complex, architecturally-inspired digital collages that entrance the viewer. Passageways lead to dreamlike worlds and gardens filled with mystical delights….. read more

Artsy Shark Gallery: Inspired Living > A Conversation with Artist Leslie Kell

July 2016
THIS ARTIST CREATES AMAZINGLY COMPLEX FANTASY LANDSCAPES. HOW DOES SHE DO IT? WE SPOKE ABOUT HER INSPIRATION AND PROCESS…. read more

Lake Austin Lifestyle Magazine

Novermber 2015
“…The pieces are large, muscular and energize the space around them in a way that combines extravagance with playfulness. “The architectural forms and natural components in her images, create a strong sense of otherworldliness and spontaneity that will delight our audiences,” Webb says….”

Austin Chronicle

“…Kell’s working the sort of high-level graphic wizardry that’s impressive in and of itself, even when it doesn’t result in – as it so often does, in this exhibition – in exquisite beauty. That, when framing her printed works, the artist chooses to transcend the digital and adds brass fittings and polished branches and more to complement and intensify the beauty of each bright wonder … ”

Artsy Shark

Serious about Art Marketing: “Austin, Texas-based artist Leslie Kell takes a professional approach to promoting her work. Her marketing plan is impressive, and provides some great examples for other artists.”
Part 1
Part 2

Austin All Natural

November 2014
“…the worlds she creates virtual environments that transform photographic images by placing them into spaces and patterns of her own designs, melding natural elements with architecture to draw you into the composition.”

Artsy Shark

Featured Artist: “Artist Leslie Kell creates amazing environments using a complex process….”

ArtPromotive.com

Artist’s Spotlight: Leslie Kell Artist – Photographic Interpretations

Austin All Natural

December 2013
“Leslie Kell’s newest creations explore the freedom of flight, with images that inspire the senses and create a sense of wonder, movement and sound.”

Artpromotivate: Second Online Youtube Art Exhibition

“10 artists and artworks have been chosen for our second online video exhibition. We have been accepting submissions for curated video slideshow exhibitions.”

Luminaria 2012

Bringing contemporary art to public spaces in San Antonio, Texas. “Artists …. were challenged to pursue cross-disciplinary collaborations”

Austin All Natural

Sept 2011
“…these new images use elements of nature to represent the human spirit. The choice of water and feather photography, Leslie explains, “symbolizes the cleansing and soaring of the spirit behind the façade. The little creatures are there to remind us we’re not alone.”

Austin All Natural

April 2011
“… a primitive art form is transformed into a new medium…a New Age quilt, a quilt that exists in a different dimension, a quilt that you won’t sleep under because it’s a work of digital art. It’s a juxtaposition of what you’d think of as something homey and warm and comfortable that helps you sleep, and something that’s visually stimulating and creates just enough tension to wake you up.”

Austin Chronicle

“…a digital photographic collage on canvas by Leslie Kell: Winter’s Summer Home; it’s a kaleidoscopic image that, via its vivid mirror-mad beauty, almost single-handedly validates computer-aided photo manipulation. One wishes a leaded glass version of this image for the window above the front door of one’s lottery-born dream home.”

What is it?

Composite Photography and Design. Leslie creates virtual environments in which photographic images are assembled into the spaces and patterns of her designs. As the photos are layered and manipulated in Photoshop, they interact to create the highlights, shadows, contours, and textures of the artwork. There are no special filters, AI, or algorithms involved. 

How does she do it?

Her fine art digital photo compositions are created using a technique that she has been developing for over 15 years. 

Each design begins with a sketch. Then, a line drawing is created in Adobe Illustrator, which is transferred to Photoshop. Utilizing an intricate process, she pastes her photographs into the “cells” of the drawing.  From there, the manipulation and “magic” occurs. 

Learn more about the creative process.

What is an Artist’s Master?

The final image is printed on an archival canvas and hand stretched onto heavy duty stretcher bars that have been pre-drilled for the custom designed framing. She then adds some original analog to the process by adding texture with spattering paint across the canvas to add a spark of spontaneity. The custom framing/enhancement is designed and executed to complete the piece.

As a general philosophy, she utilizes only the highest quality materials as she plans each one to be museum-quality.

Learn more about Artist Masters.

How long does it take?

Start to finish a series can take months. Each piece goes through a long process to create; beginning with the photography, progressing through the design process, the compositing of the photos, printing, and finally custom enhanced framing.  

Are these her original photos?

All photography is original and her own, with the exception of commission artworks. Learn more about custom art using your photos in the Custom Artwork page .

What does “archival inks on canvas” mean?

Once the image is final the high resolution file is sent to a fine art printer. The printer uses a high-end giclee printing process to create an archival print on canvas and adds varnish for extra protection.

Is this one of a kind?

While the images are digital in their beginnings, the final Artist’s Master is a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted original. Once a design is printed and enhanced, it is not reprinted in the same format again. 

Learn more about Artist Masters.

Can I change the framing on an Artist Master?

No, because each piece is crafted and designed with original framing, it is an integral part of the artwork and would result in damage if removed.  she considers the framing as part “sculpture” and a part of the original art.  We can however print any design with the framing of your choice.

How do I know this will fit in my space?

Leslie offers virtual test drives! Send her a photo of the area you wish to place the art and she can “virtually hang” any artwork into your photo. To ensure the best representation, please send a well-lit photo. Also include some sort of size reference of how big the space is. (For instance: the couch is 6 feet long and 3 feet tall OR the railing is 48 inches tall) 

Learn more about Virtual Hangings.

How do I buy one?

Visit the gallery pages to find the artwork you love, then explore the options. If you don’t see an option that fits your space and budget, simply fill out the contact form and she’ll create a custom print.

Can I buy over time?

Yes, we can create a custom payment plan that meets your needs. 

Will you deliver and install?

She will deliver and install to locations within a 100 mile radius of Austin.

Will you ship?

Yes, shipping is priced on a piece-by-piece basis due to the variations in packaging, size and weight. 

Does she offer image licensing?

Yes, if you have a project that needs artwork and see an image that you would like to use, contact Leslie to discuss details and image availability. Her work has been used on magazine and book covers, marketing campaigns and more. She always retain all reproduction rights.

Is the artwork available for lease?

Absolutely.  Often, leasing is the best way to add stunning artwork to a commercial space at a reduced cost. Let’s talk!

Can I get a different size?

Yes, she offers open edition prints in custom sizes. We can size a piece to your space and budget. There are preset options on the artwork page, but if you don’t see what you want, contact her for a quote.

More on custom prints here.

Does she do custom work?

Yes! The technique offers unique opportunities for images that are highly customizable and can feature specific locations, special events and other themes close to your heart. 

Visit the Custom Artwork page and you will see the finished artwork along with a few of the images used to create the design.

How do I care for my artwork?

You may need to dust it every now and then, but overall it should require very little maintenance and will provide years and years of enjoyment. 

The framing and hanging hardware is designed to support the art  without any issues. Be sure to use an appropriate wall hanger for the weight of the piece.

Moving it around in excess is discouraged as the canvas can scratch. If you need to relocate, please wrap for protection during transfer.

What happens if it is damaged?

We will help you restore it as much as possible to its original state for a small fee.