Awed by Artist in Downtown Pittsburgh

Boy, did I stumble onto greatness this Friday, October 3rd.  There was a gallery crawl going on in Downtown Pittsburgh, and, although I've already profiled the Gallery Crawls once, I joined the fun and brought along my camera because my friend wanted to go.

Holy smokes!  I got to meet Leslie Ansley; painter, muralist and all around elegant lady.

When my Travel Friend and I walked into the exhibit, I had no idea what to expect.  What I saw were bright colors that still managed to be warm and textures in the work that added depth and mood.  The subjects of the works, musicians, women in print dresses and children looking right at you, seemed so real I wanted to give them a hug.

I decided right then and there that I would write a single post about Ms. Ansley because her art made me deliriously happy.  And, of course, that's why I travel around.

I thought that would be the end of the story, but when I checked out her website, I saw that she is responsible for creating one of the murals I most adore in Pittsburgh.  An artist like Ms. Ansley hardly needs anyone to profile her, she's just so good you have to love her work.  But I am writing for two reasons:

First, if you haven't seen her work, go on over to her  ultra-professional website.  She is more than worth the time to click on.

Second, I shamelessly want one of her paintings for my birthday.  And now EVERYONE knows it!