Daily Inspiration: Meet LesLea Ellison

Today we’d like to introduce you to LesLea Ellison.

LesLea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I want to start by saying, thank you for taking the time to read my story.  Seeking to condense what has become so fragile and complex has been a labor of love, but I want more than anything for my life to be an encouragement to you today. Turning back the pages, to remember where my roots run deep has given me a renewed sense of direction and liberation. I am so thankful to be here with you at this moment to share.

I was born and raised here in Jacksonville, Florida. I grew up in the church. My Father and Mother sacrificed for my brother and I to have the best education. We went to Trinity Christian Academy from kindergarten through graduating High School. As a child growing up, the visual arts were not offered in school. I remember being so eager to grab the newspaper every Sunday.  I would search to find the comics and go straight to the tiny drawing section in the back… there it was the little “you-can-draw-too”. It was simple lines put in a sequence to teach children how to draw the picture.

Kids in class at school would ask me to draw Garfield, he was my favorite, and I would give them away… Mama was very crafty, and I remember her sitting at the dining table painting little pins and necklaces to sell, making wreaths that lined the garage.  I always saw she had an eye for drawing-though she would deny it.  One summer she enrolled me in an “Art Camp ” in Murray Hill…it made such an impact on me, so much so, that I STILL HAVE THE STATIONARY PAPERS we made from an ink on water project- to THIS day!

When I was 18, I gave my life fully to the Lord.  I had been in modeling for 3 years and I was selected to go to Milan, Italy in pursuit of a modeling career.  I was driven to succeed.  However, amid being heavily involved in the industry for three months abroad, I knew the Lord was calling me out.

 Upon arriving back in the States, I felt completely lost when it came to school and furthering my education. So, I began working multiple jobs. I met a dear friend and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts graduate. He encouraged me to take an oil painting course with him at FCCJ. Anne Banas was our instructor, and I absolutely fell in love. After completing my very first “Art class”, I went forward with courses Drawing 1, then Design 1, and Painting 2.

I was simultaneously taking Interior design and my core English and Algebra classes. I was not focused, and I bombed out of my core subjects while acing my art classes. When I finally realized that I wanted to go to college for art, I applied for a scholarship to assist in funding my way forward. I was granted a partial art scholarship from FCCJ South Campus.  I was ELATED-GLOWING. Only to find that after scheduling enrollment, my grades were so low, that I would have to pay out-of-state fees to “make the grades”.  My finances were such that I refused to waste any more of my parent’s money. I was heartbroken.

I set off working odd jobs to make ends meet and began to seek out my career on my own as a freelance artist in 2001. The Downtown Art Walk was a brand-new avenue for exposure and to Downtown Jacksonville at the time, and in its baby phase.  My favorite spot to display was just inside Jacksonville Landing.  At this time, I began working in the gift shop in our downtown Art Museum, formerly known as JMOMA, trying to set myself as close to the art scene as possible.  I was captivated by Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings and renaissance sketches. Jacksonville locals Charles Sowers and MacTruque were huge inspirations to my beginning work and strategic voices for me to continue pursuing my calling.

During this time, a dear friend of my “Pa” Jarriel, took notice of my work and requested a meeting with me. Mr. Richard Suddath was a prestigious businessman and CEO of Suddath Van Lines. He was a lover of art and an active collector here in Jacksonville. I loaded up my work and went downtown to his office. He carefully and quietly went through my pieces.  He then requested to purchase what I felt was the most unlikely of paintings…“Unexpected Emotions”. It was an oil on canvas that I had created in class as homework.  Our very first assignment in Painting 2.

On the day of the assignment, I remember clearly.  We were standing in a half-circle.  My classmates were skilled artists-whom I had never met; most had rich backgrounds of experience.  I was so intimidated. Mrs. Banas, as she was chewing her gum, in a nonchalant way said, “You’re going to Create your first Abstract today.”  She told us the requirements which were minimal, and then with eyebrows raised said, “Now! Go do it!”  I about fell out and hit the floor.  The only way I knew how to draw was to go by what I could see, how SHE taught me. The only art classes I knew were hers. I didn’t even know where to begin.

Upset, I went to the storage room, tore my canvas, stretched it across the wall, gessoing thick raw diagonal lines. Back and forth with building frustration, I could feel the tears begin to swell.  This time I enrolled in class alone.  I felt so defeated. Then, I will never forget, my friend came into the room that had encouraged me to start this journey to begin with… He was taking painting 3 and had not mentioned re enrolling in classes; there was a rush that surged-and I went straight to the canvas, to release what I was feeling.  And there birthed this painting, titled “Unexpected Emotions.”

 Now, months later, I was selling this piece for a substantial price and receiving my first check. From that point forward I began to display in local coffee shops, submitting for local shows and donating my work to nonprofit events.

One day, I received a call from Mr. Suddath’s office with an invitation to be featured in his art show as an up-and-coming artist to watch. He wanted to give me a room of my own to display my pieces of choice. Humbled, I said, “Yes sir, I would love to.” I remember walking in the door to the show.  The very first piece that was on display on a black background, directly in front of me was mine…

“Unexpected Emotions”.

And there I stood, all over again.

Thinking to myself, “How?”

 And “Where did all of this come from? Displaying my work?”

… standing among elite artists, such as Jim Draper; to be placed in a position for your work to be relevant; to be called out as an artist was indescribable.

 The experience drove me to press in deeper.

Writing this even now, with tears of remembering sweet Mr. Suddath; He was a tall quiet man of few words. He knew Jesus and was filled with kindness.

Looking back now, did he know? Could he see ahead of me?

 To this day, I feel he was graced a vision to draw me forward, to a place that he knew was coming, just round the bend…

After a couple of years being involved in the art scene, a friend introduced me to my now husband of almost 17 years, Damascus Lee, who I love deeply. He too was and is a gifted singer-songwriter-musician. I remember seeing him outside the windows of JMOMA as I was getting off work, in the heart of downtown Jacksonville’s city lights in Hemming Plaza… He would have Bible studies and play and sing for the homeless and sweet friends we shared; I was taken with his kindness, spirit, and love for people.

We had a two-and-a-half-year friendship off and on. I was still heavily involved in my work, showing, and selling, working and venturing on mission’s trips to Costa Rica and Nicaragua… coming back home, Damascus and I would use the arts to minister to the homeless together.  We would visit the nursing home at Taylor Manor as well as share with friends at Pine Castle. After a series of events and releasing our relationship to the Lord, we knew the Lord was calling us to marriage, and we eloped in October of 2005.

I continued to paint at home and share my art within the community running with my husband and his music, tag-teaming back and forth. But I began laying down my work for seasons to focus on our new chapter of life.  Our growing family. Our children, gifts of love… so precious. Blessed beyond, and after 9 years of pregnancy, we now have had 8 children together. I have been “mama” and “mommy” to 7 beautiful, amazing children, who I adore and would give up my existence. Early on, raising them in the word- we would paint our studies, color in markers and crayons, playing and working together.

After entering elementary school, our two oldest wanted to begin entering art competitions. So, I began to teach Kadesh and his sister Salah to draw. They were both so much better than I ever was as a child, that I could not wait to sit back and watch them soar. I then began to pick up painting in 2015.  My husband started to play out at family events in Oakleaf during the holidays. The children would sing and read passages while he played and sang songs celebrating Christmas.

Enduring off and on stages of rough spots in our marriage, there was an excitement building our family was mending, life began to feel as if there was a forward momentum taking place; so much so, that we decided to have our first exhibition in years- together- Damascus’ music and my artwork at the Murray Hill Theater set for the beginning of January 2017.

Our world came to a crashing halt, our son Kadesh Levi was diagnosed with Cancer, AML-M4 on the morning of my birthday, January 4th, 2017. The day I swore, I would never celebrate again.

Kadesh is our 2nd born.  Our first Son.  He was almost 3 weeks late at birth because I was praying for a VBAC, but they had to take him cesarian.  I say, He just wanted to stay with mama. However, to know Kadesh, this was the theme woven throughout Kadesh’s life… Lover, lover, lover. My little nugget. All he wanted was to forever be by my side. As a baby he would sit and cuddle in the middle of my chest nestled in the corner of my neck for hours, I can still feel his little warm body, and soft fuzzy head… oh, son I love you.

Brave, full of excitement and adventure, the strongest and healthiest of our little army… I called him my little Olympian. I remember just after his 7th birthday; he was always wanting to test his strength. He would say, “Mama, will you time me running? How fast am I?” So, he would get on the sidewalk, and I would jump in the van with the children and off we went, clocking him; he would run sustained beside us-as we cheered him on-at 15mph, so strong.

In hearing the words cancer spoken over Kadesh, I completely involuntarily blanked and dissolved-this was not real. This was not happening. Not to my son.

Directly after diagnosis, Kadesh began to lose his sight and he went through several treatments with proton as well as heavy chemotherapy and his sight was restored back to 20/20. Kadesh, Damascus, and I literally lived at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital on Weaver 4, Children’s Oncology Floor for months at a time; we lived there separated from the outside world, our 5 babies, while I was pregnant. We had the most amazing team of nurses and doctors that have ever graced this planet.

While undergoing his treatments Kadesh was introduced to “Art with a Heart”.  A team of elite artists who volunteer at Wolfson’s and Nemours Downtown. They work to alleviate the stress of the children’s illness and bring life and creativity to their atmosphere. Kadesh was so taken with them. Daily, he would jump out of bed and run down to see his best buds in treatment and sit with Mateo and other amazing artists to paint. This would go on all day.

I would try to sit and paint with him, but I wanted nothing to do with art anymore, it meant nothing to me. I vowed in my heart never to pick up the brush again. And when I did a couple of times throughout his year in the hospital- it was only for Kadesh. He would be so broken down and I wanted to try and cheer him up with his favorites.

I will never forget the day, sitting with Kadesh while he was painting, just watching him quietly. The artists with him-so talented and professional, one asked, “Kadesh, who is your favorite artist… if you had to choose anyone in the whole world? Who would it be?” Without hesitation, Kadesh said, “My mama.” I gasped inside and shook my head back and forth, no… Downcast, I looked over at Kadesh… And he reaffirmed me again, with that smile. And all I could say was, “Son.”

… and I almost fell apart.

All I wanted to do was take care of my son and see his healing… I would stand in awe of his gift, and how he loved others well, giving his work away as presents to everyone on the floor to encourage their hearts. He poured out his strength to love.  Continually.

We were finally able to get him into remission. Following remission, he endured a bone marrow transplant from his baby sister Anatole’. Her cells engrafted and Kadesh was doing wonderful; He gained his weight back and was thriving, determined and back in school.  He so loved to be with his sweet friends that cheered him the ENTIRE way through and with “his favorite” teacher Miss Huisman… but he began to have back pain again, and we found out on Halloween, October 31st, 2017, that cancer had returned.

Kadesh relapsed. We went through more failed treatment and procedures with his sister’s cells near losing him to toxicity. After devastating reports, we went entirely holistic. We had an amazing community of warriors to help facilitate and fund our efforts as we set off to find a cure and save Kadesh. Invincible, I saw him. Our miracle was coming, my husband and I believed- we KNEW.

Kadesh was thriving yet again. But as a little more time passed things began to turn with his compromised immune system, and we were back in the hospital in and out of PICU. He fought with respiratory failure back and forth and he kept defying every odd that was placed against him, miracle after miracle. It was mind-blowing to witness. But we hit a point, where Kadesh was so overwhelmed, he begged me for 2 hours to take him to the procedure.

He meant he wanted to be put to sleep so they could “fix him” because he kept saying, “nothing is working.” He kept saying, “Take me, take me. Take me and pray, and if I die, I will be with Jesus, just take me and pray.” His oxygen saturation was struggling, and we had to make a choice for him to undergo intubation. Through grief and tears, we did it. I could Not-Not SAVE him.

As Kadesh was there in the room, so peaceful, and relaxed, I asked the nurses for paint and paper. We always kept it around for him, but this time he couldn’t paint. So, I determined to sit there in the room beside his bed on April 25th and to paint for him. I said, “Son, I love you and mama is going to sit here and paint for you until you wake up baby, mama is here.” So, I began to feverishly paint large pieces of paper and create a wallpaper mural ahead of him of everything he loved, so when his eyes opened, he would see it. The scene was him sitting on the dock with his fishing pole barefoot… to finally feel the sand and water on his toes, with his little sign, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. ~Jesus”.

Seagulls and sunshine, clouds and rainbows filling the blue sky. But as I was painting and hanging up the papers his oxygen began to drop without warning. At that point, everything was a complete rage. Kadesh was losing air, and there was nothing I could do to save him, Helpless and weak, frantic, I remember standing there, hands open and feet apart and I said, I must surrender, right now before we do this, God if you are going to save him, you are going to do so supernaturally and fill his lungs with air. And I released… I can’t tell you what happened. The language of mere words does not hold the vast speech of the hearts cry in moments as these… nothing was real, just space, the air even around me was painful and thickening.  From that point forward it has been survival on adrenal fatigue with extreme displacement.

Daily, I was existing in a state of mind, not knowing how I would have arrived at a destination, forgetfulness unimaginable and a constant running, as fast as possible. Not only did we lose our son, but we were losing our marriage and at a rapid rate, the rage was so intense… There was no ability to slow down because the grief was coming like a freight train. All I could do was clean; it was my go-to. I remember the one-pointed night, collapsing on the floor, unable to breathe with chest tightness and unrelenting sobs.  All I could whisper was, “God I can’t run anymore; I am going to die. I am dying. This is going to kill me.”  I laid there on the floor for at least an hour trying to regain my composure…

In the days following I began to sense the Lord drawing me, and I will never forget with clarity, Him Speaking to me so strongly.

I was standing in our garage. And the Lord said to me with detail,

“Make the garage your studio.”

“Step into the grief, and channel the pain.”

I was in disbelief. I had vowed within myself to never paint again… the Lord knew… El Roi, the God who sees me, knew what I needed. So, I obeyed. And I cleared out the garage. For about a year and a half I had been watching and discussing with my husband my desire to go to this School online to take courses for art, but there were no funds to go… so I just began to walk back into old paintings that were unfinished and do what I had known. Our marriage continued to elevate and disintegrate, and in 2020 we separated. I had our 6 remaining babies in my hands, struggling to make ends meet so I dove headfirst into my art, questioning my existence and life. I knew I had to provide, that was all I could see…but I was so lost.

I received an invitation to do a live painting worship set at a RevWell Event with my best friend Danae,’ and with much trembling, I went. Stepping in with the little that I had left- my faith in Jesus. At the event, I met a sister artesian who came all the way from Arizona to attend.  She ran up to me with such contagious Joy and excitement, sharing that the Lord drew her to me, telling me the Lord saw me and loved me so much.  Her kindness was medicinal.  I finished the set and went home.

Days had passed, when I received a phone call from Niki, the girl that I had met at the event. She was so excited on the phone, and with intent; she went on to explain, she and her family had seen my work and they collectively wanted to pay for my entire year of classes to complete the Mastery Program with the Milan Art Institute. THE SAME SCHOOL that I had been watching prior, for over a year and a half. Where I was seeking to enroll. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed ugly tears… ugly tears.

I cannot begin to tell you all the many ways the Lord has manifested to keep me walking… “stepping into my grief and channeling my pain,” but I can tell you, I would not be here today without Jesus’ overwhelming tender mercies to gently guide me into this place. Every act of obedience has had a purpose. Even when it did not make sense. Man’s wisdom is foolishness to God. He has saved me. He has saved our children, and I have had a front-row seat to see him saving my husband and restoring our marriage and family back together one step at a time.

My work is an anthem to the salvation of Jesus, He is making beauty from ashes, for His glory. It is a legacy that continues for our son Kadesh as well. I see it as the Lord enabling me to fulfill my promise to our son that I made that day in the PICU. When Kadesh’s physical body wakes, He will see with his green eyes, the tapestry of colors proclaiming the love of God, woven through brokenness to the canvas to “Tell the World,” Jesus saved him.  Jesus saved me.  Jesus saved us, and He is making all things beautiful in His time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My process is very confronting. Many times, stepping up to the canvas, there is a great fear… to the point that it takes everything I have to even make the first mark. Artist block for me is real and it generally surfaces, with every piece I create. I must be willing to face what comes to light, it is a very labor-intensive process to work through.

You are forced to deal with the walls that stand before you and your work, as well as struggles that are binding the person who is going to purchase your piece, it’s a prophetic process.  I always pray for connection to the Lord before I walk into my work, that He would take my hands, my mind, and my heart, and that I would move according to what He wants to speak.

With each piece is an advancement and a renewed sense of discovery. You take the ground you were so terrified to tread, with victory and your heart soars. It is the most exhilarating process. Broken and weeping over the canvas, so many times my strokes move as a crying out, searching for relief to find a place to rest.

In the past few days, I have been thinking over the word “masterpiece” … and it resonated deeply, that I am truly learning to master my ability to make peace within my own soul in the completion of my work. Mastering Peace, stilling my spirit before the Lord-facing my reflection-introspection-being honest and pressing into healing, and thus becoming a peacemaker through my work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love the mixture of abstract and realism merged, lines without barriers; sketching with graphite, subtracting charcoal. Originally, I began in oils, however, I’ve been enjoying mixed media, the combination of graphite and acrylics, inks with deep oils with juicy transparent overlays.

I LOVE color and the drama it portrays, as well as the subtle tranquil tones that ground and bring peace to the soul. The Interplay of music with my medium is the way by which I communicate through each piece I create.

Painting the heavens and the oceans as their reflections dance as one, has become a place of peace. I love so many different styles, it is very difficult for me to stay in one set way.

I enjoy exploring the beauty of the African people through portraits.  I have felt a calling to their nation since 2005.

I know that my work is strategic. Involuntarily, I go through heavy times of leading, where very bold pieces will emerge from a pressing in my spirit. Drawn to the canvas, I must bring them forward. Seemingly controversial at times, but I don’t back away from the advancement of seeking to make peace with the canvas and the souls that will be touched for those who are voiceless and unseen.

 In the last 2 years, I have noticed that my work has been more sought after for the purposes of healing; whether for my clients personally or gifts for their loved ones, it has been such an honor to witness. An honor. I have a heart for the pediatric cancer community and families, and the grieving mothers who have lost their babies as I.  I actively enjoy gifting my work to our local Cancer nonprofits to help raise awareness and support.

Kleats for Kadesh, Inc, now has become our nonprofit to honor our son Kadesh’s legacy. Kadesh’s’ First Children’s Book, has been the number one dream of mine as the first project… Kadesh’s book will be his very own drawings as the illustrations-and I will be creating the background with my work and writings about the Love of Jesus shown through creation-Kadesh’s favorite.

Art for Children by Children is a Dream and Goal that I have in sharing the gospel through the arts to children here locally and abroad. I believe children have the key to opening the doors to the hearts of their peers and what better way to minister. Through being present and engaged, we can use the vehicle of art to communicate the love that crosses the barrier lines of language.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think being teachable is a huge factor in growth. Being open to constructive criticism allows you to see other perspectives outside of your own. Individually we have blinders in so many areas of our lives. Being involved in a healthy solid community is key; a place where you can not only receive critique but most importantly be built up and encouraged.

In the field of art, the community has been monumental for me. I am currently studying with the Milan Art Institute, and we have an open forum with the ability to dialogue with one another. If we are facing issues in certain areas and we are unable to see our way forward, our peer’s step in giving insight to the places where we’re blocked and help us walk through the process that is holding us back.

Being willing to place yourself in view and verbalizing the need for help in an area of weakness is a vulnerable place; but I know by experience that it is a catalyst to growth and strength.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: LesLeaEllison.com | LesLeaEllisonFineArt.com
• Instagram: @LesLeaEllison
• Facebook: @LesLeaEllison

Image Credits
Salah Hope Ellison