An Artist Lives in Dunnstown
By Christopher Miller
“Art is in the eye of the beholder” is an old adage that rings true from decade to decade. For Leslie Hammond, a resident at Fulmer’s Personal Care Home in Dunnstown, it has become a passion and a small business dream. You see, Leslie is a local artist and entrepreneur.
What caught the eye of this article author was the advertisement that was posted on Facebook last week; “you will definitely fall in love with the colors in this necklace…stretchy string makes this sweet necklace an easy-on, easy-off option!”
“I like to color, play cards, work with beads to make jewelry, paint and I am starting to learn how to use a computer,” Leslie told The Record in an interview. “Oh, and I can make pins, too,” she said as she showed off the pin creation she was wearing at the interview.
Making jewelry and creating art does not come easy for Leslie as she lives with tremors that cause her arms to shake at unexpected moments making it difficult to do simple crafts that she puts her heart into, but she perseveres and works at it very hard nonetheless.
Actually, there isn’t much that Leslie does not like to do! “Well I don’t like being cold, like today,” she said. “My art is fun, it is something that keeps me busy and gives me choices to do, so I can ask Sharon (Leslie’s caregiver and friend) or anyone nearby for ideas.”
Sharon Valerio, Leslie’s caregiver and friend, was a driving force behind giving Leslie the idea to paint. “She’s a good friend, I see her 1 to 3 times a week when she’s able to come over,” said Leslie.
“I have been going to craft shows for years, selling art and making jewelry,” Leslie said. “I used to make things with popsicle sticks like Santa’s, Christmas Trees, and Rudolph reindeer…I like to be busy.”
“My mom and I started to make jewelry, we did it together, and I still do it,” Leslie explained. “I can’t do jewelry too much because my hands shake, but then I found something new to do – I can paint!” Leslie still makes jewelry from time-to-time, but after discovering the world of painting, she has gone full-force into that new artistic aspect.
As for the upcoming holidays, Leslie said that I, the author of this article, inspired her to make and sell art for the holidays. “I am just starting, and just learning – I like to make leaves, pumpkins, and apples…I did a painting that looks like a jungle and somebody bought it,” Leslie exclaimed happily.
Leslie’s inspiration is drawn from what she sees most of: nature. “This one day I started painting a rainbow, and then other nature, and Sharon started to help me, and teach me,” said Leslie. Leslie now does every aspect of painting – every little thing with very little help. “All of my art is 100% hand made, all by me,” Leslie said, smiling from ear to ear.
Leslie really wants to start a business with her art. “People are putting it on the internet and sharing it online, that’s one of the reasons I want to get a computer – to take some business classes and learn about how to start a business,” Leslie explained. “I have been learning how to use a computer and I have learning sessions and someone to help me, and other people sometimes help with the painting.”
“What I want people to know about me is that I am nice, friendly, and caring – I love to be around people, and I am easy to get along with and very positive,” Leslie said.
If you would like to purchase art from Leslie, please contact Fulmer’s Personal Care Home directly at 570-748-1829.
