Blog

 

I recently had the incredible opportunity to be featured on Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, and I can honestly say—it was a thrilling experience from start to finish.

 

Going into the live show, I’ll admit I was a little nervous. But once the conversation began, those nerves quickly melted away. Eric was gracious, curious, and genuinely interested in my process, which made the entire experience feel more like an engaging studio conversation than a formal demo. It flowed far more smoothly than I had hoped, and I walked away feeling energized, grateful, and deeply affirmed.

 

During the episode, I shared my poured watercolor technique, focusing on how I use masking fluid to preserve the white of the paper and create luminous layers of color. We talked about something I’m often asked about: the difference between washes and pours, and how each approach creates a very different visual and emotional result.

 

To illustrate this, I shared two finished zebra paintings—painted from the same subject, but using two entirely different methods.

 

The Wash Zebra: Control

The first zebra was painted using wet-in-wet watercolor washes. In this approach, the paper is damp and the pigment is guided carefully with the brush. While the water is active, I maintain control over where the color travels, how edges soften, and how form is shaped. Washes are about intention, precision, and deliberate decision-making. They allow me to sculpt the painting thoughtfully, one brushstroke at a time.

 

The Poured Zebra: Glow

The second zebra was created using poured watercolor. This method relies heavily on gravity, timing, and trust in the process. I build the painting in layers—pouring pigment, allowing it to dry, applying masking fluid, and then pouring again. The result is a natural glow, soft transitions, and organic movement that simply can’t be replicated with a brush alone. In poured watercolor, the water becomes a collaborator, and the painting often surprises me in the best possible ways.

 

Seeing these two zebras side by side made the lesson clear:
washes are about control, and pours are about glow.

 
Neither approach is better than the other—they simply offer different energy, mood, and possibilities.

 

I’ve been so touched by the response to this episode. Hearing from artists who felt inspired or encouraged to try something new is exactly why I love teaching and sharing my process. Opportunities like this remind me how powerful it can be to talk openly about technique, experimentation, and trusting your own artistic voice.

 

I’m incredibly grateful to Eric Rhoads and the Art School Live community for such a warm welcome, and I hope everyone who watches the replay finds something that sparks curiosity and joy in their own watercolor journey.

 

If you haven’t seen the episode yet, the recording is available—and I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.

 

You can view the recording at https://www.youtube.com/live/uga7e0LRRzo?si=2U3TbaVdtUsi7_6u

 

 

Happy painting,
Leslie

 

Zimbabwe • Part 3

Victoria Falls, Zambezi Magic, and the Sweetest Goodbyes

 

 

Our final days in Zimbabwe were a beautiful blend of wonder, adventure, community, reflection, and a few unexpected gifts from the universe — the kind that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

 

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A Morning at Victoria Falls

We began with a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke That Thunders,” the falls stretch nearly a mile wide and plunge over 350 feet into the gorge below.

 

 

Because we visited at the end of the dry season, the falls weren’t at their fullest — and that turned out to be ideal. In high-water season, the mist is so thick you can’t see the falls at all. But during our visit, everything was perfectly clear: the drop, the rock face, the rainbows, and the thunder of the water.

 

 

The people made it even more special. Locals stopped us to say hello, hug us, welcome us to their country, and ask for photos together. Their warmth left such an impression on all of us.

 

After several hours exploring the viewpoints, we had lunch overlooking the gorge before heading back to prepare for the evening’s adventure.

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The Sunset Cruise I Didn’t Want… Until I Loved It

 

I’ll be honest — I didn’t want to go on the sunset cruise. It had been jokingly nicknamed the “booze cruise,” and after a long, hot day, I wasn’t feeling very festive.

 

When we boarded, the only available seats were in full sun, and I took the very hottest spot so my students wouldn’t have to. None of us were particularly excited.

 

But as the boat began to move, everything changed.

 

Those “bad seats” turned out to be the best seats on the entire cruise. From my position, I had the closest view of every wildlife sighting along the river — especially the hippos, which I had been hoping to see all trip. And we didn’t just see them… they were active and beautifully lit by the golden evening sun.

 

We also saw crocodiles and stunning birds gliding past as the Zambezi turned shades of orange and fire red. By sunset, I felt like a queen in my front-row seat, grateful for the perfect reminder to trust the moment — even the ones I resist.

 

 

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Finishing the Mural & Finding Market Treasures

 

The next morning, we returned to Lesedi School to finish the mural we had started earlier in the week. Although it was Sunday, the headmistress opened the gates for us, and a few students showed up to help — one boy even walked over 30 minutes just to be part of it.

 

Together, we completed the underwater scene, and stepping back to see the finished wall filled all of us with pride and joy.

Afterward, we explored the local markets, famous for Zimbabwe’s hand-carved artwork. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, and we all found treasures to bring home.

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One Last Adventure — The Canopy Tour

 

With only a few hours left in the day, several of us decided we needed one more burst of excitement. We signed up for the Victoria Falls Canopy Tour — a series of nine ziplines stretching across the gorge.

 

 

 

It was exhilarating, breathtaking, and full of camaraderie. Seeing the falls and canyon from that vantage point was unforgettable — a perfect finale to our time in Victoria Falls.

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Love For Africa & A Farewell Filled With Heart

On our final morning, before heading to the airport, Love For Africa gave us a special tour of their community impact projects. We visited:

 

• Small businesses supported by micro-loans

• A gym and youth shelter providing housing and life skills for homeless teens

• A technical school offering job training for young adults

Seeing the work they do firsthand was deeply inspiring.

 

At the airport, we said goodbye to our guide and driver, Ndaba — who had become like family. There were tears as we hugged him one last time. My students flew to Johannesburg, while my sisters and I boarded a small flight back to Harare.

 

 

Because the plane was filled with a large group of primary school children, we were moved to the very front for balance, and I ended up sitting backwards in a flight attendant seat. Surprisingly, it was delightful — it allowed me to meet several passengers, including a new friend named MoreBlessing, who has stayed in touch and insists I visit her on my next trip.

 

As we exited the plane, the adults walked out first while the children waited patiently. But on our way past them, every single child held up their hand for a high-five. One by one, tiny hands reached toward us — smiling, giggling, and sending us off with joy. It was the sweetest farewell.

 

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A Perfect Ending to an Extraordinary Journey

 

Zimbabwe gave us breathtaking wildlife, adventure, and scenery…
but it also gave us community, humility, laughter, and connection.

 

These final days tied everything together — and left me changed in the best possible way.

 

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Join Me in Zimbabwe — June 2027

This journey touched me more deeply than I ever expected, and I know I’m not done with Zimbabwe — not even close. The landscapes, the wildlife, the people, the connections, the art… it all left a mark on my soul. That’s why I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be returning in June 2027 with another group of students and travelers who want to experience this extraordinary place through creativity, curiosity, heart, and art.

 

If this adventure has stirred something in you — if Africa has always been a dream, if you long for beauty and discovery, or if you want to paint, learn, and explore with me — consider this your invitation.

 

More details will come, but for now…
save the date, hold the dream, and imagine yourself beneath the African sky.

 

Lesedi School — Service, Connection, and a Day I Will Never Forget

 

 

When I envisioned this trip to Zimbabwe, I knew I wanted more than breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife encounters. I wanted to connect with the people — not just through curated tourist moments, but in a meaningful, human way. I wanted to learn, to serve, and to leave something behind that reflected gratitude for the beauty we were receiving from Africa.

 

After conversations with our guide, Courtney, we decided that painting a mural at a local school would be the perfect way to blend artistry with service. Through the help of Love For Africa, arrangements were made for us to spend the day at Lesedi Secondary School, just outside Victoria Falls.

 

Before I continue, it’s important to share who this school is and what it represents.

According to their mission:

“Lesedi offers quality education and practical skills to vulnerable children and youth in rural Zimbabwe, empowering them to rise from poverty and build sustainable futures through knowledge, character development, and opportunity.”
(Source: lesedizim.org)

From the moment we learned about their mission, we knew this was exactly the kind of experience we hoped for.

 

 

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“This is Africa” — and everything that phrase holds

Our day began with what became one of the most endearing running jokes of the entire trip. We were delayed… and delayed… and delayed. We needed to pick up paint, and we needed to wait for the paint, and we needed to wait a little more.

Every time we asked for an update, we heard the same phrase, said with warmth and humor:

“This is Africa.”

We ended up adopting that phrase for the rest of the trip — a reminder to breathe, let go, and move at the pace of the place you’re in.

 

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Painting an Ocean Scene in the Heart of Zimbabwe

When we finally arrived at the school, we assessed the long exterior wall that would become our canvas. We chose to paint the ocean — an underwater world — because many of these children may never have the opportunity to see the sea. In fact, despite living not far from Victoria Falls, many of the students have never even visited the falls.

 

 

The sun was relentless, and the paint dried almost instantly. We painted as fast as we could, laying in flowing shapes of water, fish, corals, and marine life. Our hope was to give the kids a window into a different world — one that belonged to them just as much as to anyone else.

 

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Lunch with future leaders

 

 

In the mid-afternoon heat, we paused for lunch — and it wasn’t just a meal. It was an experience.

 

Students in the Food Technology and Hospitality program prepared and served it themselves. The food was delicious, and the professionalism, confidence, and pride from the students were undeniable. These programs give young people a path to employment — a livelihood — in a region where opportunities are limited. Watching them shine was deeply moving.

 

 

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Painting with curious minds

 

After lunch we returned to the mural, hoping to finish as much as we could before closing time. Some of the students joined in — shy at first, then braver. They asked questions about animals and art, how to draw, how to paint, how colors work together. Their faces lit up as the wall transformed.

 

Even those who didn’t paint hovered nearby, watching every stroke.

The awe in their eyes will stay with me forever.

 

Though we made tremendous progress, time eventually ran out. The school grounds were closing, and we had to leave before we completed the mural. It was hard to walk away, knowing the ocean scene still had room to grow — but we also left knowing that we would be back on Sunday and something bright and beautiful was now theirs.

 

It felt like planting a seed.

 

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A night of dancing and celebration

 

From the school we went straight to a traditional Boma dinner, and this one was much more lively than the first. There were a lot of people — locals, guests, staff — all joined in song and dance. A colorful cloth was tied across our shoulders as part of the welcome, and we were ushered into the dining hall with drums shaking the air.

 

The food was plentiful — meats, vegetables, spices, and flavors rich with tradition.

 

And then came the mopane worm challenge.

My sister, naturally competitive, decided she needed the certificate that proves you ate one. She convinced me to try too — and I wasn’t even remotely tempted until they offered me the smallest worm they could find. She ate a rather large one… so I figured I could swallow the tiny one.

 

So yes — I did it. And I earned the certificate.

(I’m not sure if I’m proud or mildly horrified, but I did it. 😂)

 

The night ended with drumming and dancing, and we all found ourselves on the dance floor — moving to the heartbeat of Africa, laughing, losing track of time and self and everything else.

 

 

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A day of meaning

Of all the extraordinary things we experienced in Zimbabwe — lions, elephants, leopards, sunsets, safaris — this day at Lesedi School may have meant the most.

We came hoping to give something.

Instead, we received so much more:

• Connection

• Curiosity

• Laughter

• Gratitude

• Hope

These students are the future of Zimbabwe.

To witness their talent, dignity, joy, and determination was a privilege.

 

I will never forget them.

 

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Part 3 — An Adventure at the Victoria Falls — is coming soon.

Thank you for traveling through these stories with me.
This experience isn’t just living in my memories — it’s already shaping the artwork waiting to be painted.

 

With a full heart,
Leslie