Drawn to Art

“I love to draw animals. They have so much soul, spirit and personality.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the saying goes. For artist Leslie Faust, beauty is all around her, waiting to be expressed through her vast repertoire of artistry.

Growing up in an artistic family, Leslie's interest in colors and lines began at a young age. “Drawing always came naturally to me,” she says. “I won all the coloring contests in school as a kid.” As an adult, Leslie's affinity for art began to weave itself into her profession.

Working in the real estate industry, she found herself inspired by her surroundings. She started doing house portraits for homeowners and architectural renderings for corporate clients. This progression played itself out until Leslie was painting murals in both residential and commercial settings, and eventually she broadened her knowledge of media and branched out into various forms.

Today, Leslie paints with acrylic, watercolor and occasionally oils. Her drawings range from charcoal to pen-and-ink, and even marker. “A variation in media keeps me disciplined. After working on a loose, abstract piece that is creative and free-flowing, I'll ground myself with a tight, fine-lined drawing. It keeps me constantly challenged and brings the technique back into focus.”

Just like her use of materials, her subject matter has evolved with her interests, as well. “Most recently I've incorporated my love of animals into my art,” says Leslie. “I grew up around horses, dogs and cats, and I am a natural animal lover.”

Capturing the character of her subjects, Leslie has been commissioned to do a number of projects ranging from pet portraits to postcards handed out to visitors of the Therapeutic Horsemanship Ranch in Wentzville. “I love to draw animals,” she says. “They have so much soul, spirit and personality.”