10/5/23
Interviews
"Just like authors read all their peers and those that came before them, artists need to consume imagery."
Artist Leslie Weissman on her first studio visit...in fifth grade!
Click to expand media gallery.
Great artists make artists. And to prove that point, over 70 of today's greatest have contributed their work in support of Children's Museum of the Arts' Emergency Arts Education Fund, establishing utterly ambitious art programs in New York City schools that need them most.
Bidding for the online auction concludes Thursday, October 19 at 12 PM EDT. Bid now. Bid often. Bid here.
Below, meet auction artist Leslie Weissman.
Leslie as a young artist
Leslie's childhood artwork
Artwork by Leslie's son
Do you have a favorite memory of making art as a child?Â
I started painting in an artist's basement when I was in elementary school. It was set up like a professional studio. She gave weekly art lessons. I painted in oils as a kid – my brother and parents still have some of the paintings I made hanging in their homes!
What advice would you give to young artists who wish to pursue an art practice?
Paint, sketch, and draw as much as possible and read about art and philosophy to help develop your foundation. Go to museums and galleries…just like authors read all their peers and those that came before them, artists need to consume imagery.
How does working with children inspire you?
Uncomplicated and unbiased creativity – the more we know and think, we overthink and over-engineer and lose the sense of immediacy and the organic intimacy with our creativity.
When did you first know you were going to be an artist?
As early as my memory of thoughts started, so maybe first grade.
Can you describe a formative experience visiting a museum or gallery?
My best memory was visiting George Segal at his home and studio with Ronald Feldman with my fifth grade art class. We did a segment on making pop art and the Feldmans were my classmates' parents and arranged for the visit. My first studio visit was as a fifth grader…amazing!
Leslie WeissmanÂ
Upward and intertwinedÂ
spray paint, acrylic, oil on linen