paintings & art boxes

recent work on instagram: @_lesliebanta & @tinyoccupation

Still want to see more? Please contact Leslie!

Excited to share this item from my #etsy shop: Clouds and hilltop oil on canvas with mixed media recently completed during summer break💙☁️ 30x40 https://etsy.me/3Ou89c6

Commissions in progress… . . #artcommissions #studio #artstudio #oilpainting #abstractart #abstractlandscape #landscapeart #virginialandscape #cloudart #clouds #art #artist #etsyartist

#paintjam #paintsoul #paintfunk #fridaystudio #maker #oilpaint #wetpaint #artist #abstractexpressionism

looking at things differently 🙃☁️ . #newpaintings #oilpainting #landscape #oillandscape #abstractlandscape #abstractart #startwithsky #blueskies #blueskiesfordays #studio #artstudio #summerart

Saturday Studio Making . #studio #studiotime #oilpaint #wetpaint #oillandscape #abstractoilpainting #abstractlandscape #abstractlandscapepainting #clouds #cloudart #cloudpainting #etsyartist #collage #collageandoil #origamiinstructions #oilonboard #oilonpanel

I invested in a hand sewing hobby this past winter, inspired by my mom: the artist, gardener, chef, art educator, French hand sewing expert and small business entrepreneur, @amy.grimes ! Sewing has recently given me a respite from & refreshment for art ed, and helped renew my personal art-making discipline, too. Mom pointed me to creative guru @annwoodhandmade several years ago, and I’ve found in her blog posts a singular treasure: I rediscovered the joy and delight I had as a little girl, making clothes for my dolls & toy animals. I love sharing my *little makes* with Mom, and she gets as excited about them as I do! Ann Wood’s (literally) small projects help calm me and bring me so much joy🧵🪡! @PattyPalmerathome had asked her art teachers (@deepspacesparkle) to share how they step back from their classrooms and refresh themselves - how we find calm energy and bring it into the art room for our art students; well, hand sewing has become a big part of my creative life lately, and I’m grateful to have found it again♥️ Thank you to my creative & hard working Mama, @amy.grimes for every ounce of creative enthusiasm and joy she puts into every little thing she does!😘And to Ann at @annwoodhandmade, I’m so grateful for your blog and for the endless inspiration from your patterns and shared projects! 💕And to Patty, thank you for offering so much guidance, direction, energy and on-the-ground art teacher support through art lessons and community support.💖 I’m a grateful gal!! … #womeninspiringwomen #grateful #handsewing #artmaking #creativework #ittakesavillage #artist #entrepreneur #smalldolls #arted #elementaryart #artteacher #missthistlesociety #makingart #makers

A teaser for new abstract collage paintings on exhibit through May 2022… Please join the “Friends of Incarnation” multi-artist Opening Reception on May 6 from 4-7PM Arts Incarnate, 75 N Mason St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, USA #fineart #mixedmediapainting #collage #oilpainting #artshow #Harrisonburg #harrisonburgart #abstractart #firstfriday #justbefloral

Since I just installed an new abstract painting show yesterday (more info on that coming next week), I’m feeling free to share my other recently creative efforts (non-painting!). … #terrariumgardening #terrarium #wildviolets #mossgarden #moss #mossterrarium #smallgarden

Little Miss has had an Easter Afternoon Outing with her Mouse Friends! It was too pretty to stay inside, snoozing in the sewing basket ☀️🐭🧺 Happy Easter! 👉🏻All patterns by @annwood of #annwoodhandmade 👈🏻🧵🪡 #MissThistle #MissThistleSociety #VeryNiceMice #miniquilt #TinyIsBig! #moustache #threeblindmice #handsewing #miniquilting #tinydolls

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art boxes

The art boxes allow me to explore ideas of enclosure and privacy. Resin and concrete are versatile materials and allow experimentation. As a building material, concrete can connote the impersonal while also speaking to comfort, stability and permanence. Resin gives delicate items protection but also separates us from them. We can hold a small space in our hands, but only occupy it through our imagination.

The stereo photos help share these enclosure ideas.

see my boxes at @tinyoccupation on instagram:

#blackouttuesday⚫️✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

Posted @withregram • @artspace_richmond "Alcove 1" - cast Rockite, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3 1 /4 inches, by Leslie Banta. From A/PART virtual exhibition. Available for purchase here: https://artspacerva.square.site/product/leslie-banta-alcove-i/1947?cs=true Visit our online store for more great artwork! https://artspacerva.square.site #artspacegalleryorg #artspacerichmond #fineart #sculpture #tinyart

Premiering tonight: A virtual exhibition of my cast boxes and stereotypes... 6:30 E.S.T. - Link in profile. With thanks to @artspace_richmond for hosting! . . . . #virtualexhibition #boxart #sculpture #concretesculpture #castconcreteart #smallscale #smallart #artinboxes #artinbox #isolation #solitude #quietart #smallspaces #stereoscopic #stereophotography #stereoscopicphotography #artboxes #virtualexhibit #virtualexhibitions #virtualartshow #castart #smallscaleart #rva #rvaart #rvaartgallery #artopening #coronart

//Repost from @oxeyevineyards// *Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room presents Small Oil Paintings by Leslie Banta in the Upstairs Gallery. Please come to the opening reception on Sunday, January 19 to meet the artist and hear about her work. The show runs from January 16- March 11, 2020.* Looking forward to visiting with you at @oxeyevineyards Tasting Room This Sunday, 1/19 bet 3-4:30, Artist Talk 3:45ish 🕰☁️ !

What’s some of the #inspiration for my boxes, you ask? #HollyHobbie had a glow house... and I loved it. #nowyouknow (all photos © Mel Birnkrant) . . . . . #melbirnkrant #toydesigner #colorforms #inspiration #artboxes #artinboxes #artistinspiration #glowhouse #glowinthedark #childhood #playing #creativeplay #artist #artistlife #studio #behindthescenes

On a day of celebrated freedom, can we hold high those whose worlds have been shattered? How very fortunate we are - our aim should be to lift up rather than look down. 👉🏼@preemptivelove is standing with those in harm’s way today; thankful for their work. #independenceday #artspeaks . . . . . . #artboxes #artmatters #artist #artistoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #instagramartist #prayerboxes #prayer #syria #libya #thoughtfulart #artasprayer #lookcloser #serve #help #loveanyway #findthehelpers #generosity #preemptivelove

I up-did my website, y’all!! And never fear - the boxes have representation among the cloud art! 🤗👏🏻 🛏 ☁️ Link in profile! . . . . . . . #artistwebsite #originalart #artforsale #artboxes #artinboxes #etsyartist #etsyartistsofinstagram

A late winter studio exploration resulted in this little beauty. My heart kinda misses that grey sky from pic3... #enneagram4 . . . . . . . . #smallsculpture #originalart #castsculpture #concretesculpture #boxart #artinboxes #smallspaces #smallart #bigideas #hermitage #hermitagewithin #pockethermitage #quiet #latewinter #memories #resin #resinsculpture

bedroom c.2011 #thinksmall6 #artspacerichmond . . . . . . . . #thinksmall #thinksmallrichmond #artspacegalleryrva #artboxes #artbox #artinboxes #cardboardart #smallframe #smallart #smallbed #bedart #smallsculpture #artfundraisers #originalart #handheldart #etsyartist #etsyart #boxart #tinyart

Bed with Tree c.2009, my first submission to the semi-annual ThinkSmall exhibit hosted by Artspace Gallery in Richmond, VA (visit artspacegallery.org/ts5/). Requirements: Artwork must not exceed 3” in any dimension LxWxH. Concrete, resin, mixed media. . . . . . . #thinksmall #thinksmallrichmond #artspacegalleryrva #artboxes #artbox #artinboxes #castsculpture #concrete #concreteart #resin #castresin #smallsculpture #artfundraisers #originalart #handheldart

**bed boxes feature in Cville Weekly Magazine**

**bed boxes feature in The HOOK Magazine**

“Leslie Banta makes ANY place feel like home!” ~Kathy L.

click individual photos for closer view

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