Meet Liesl Chaintreuil | Liesl Long Chaintreuil | Mixed Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Liesl Chaintreuil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liesl, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was an easy decision. I’ve always loved Kentucky and I’ve painted my whole life. My entire business is based around Kentucky themed artwork, and I love every minute of it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is my way of expressing my love for life, people, places, and experiences… especially with a theme of my home state, which I love, Kentucky. I love capturing joyful and colorful moments to bring joy to the viewer and to make them a participant in the artwork. I am very proud of my Kentucky Derby series which has had an annual piece released for ten years now. Some years are a challenge, and others are created in moments. That’s the beauty of art! This year I am also extremely proud that I was selected as the artist for the Kentucky Derby Festival poster, which is a very big honor. There have been large challenges in the life of my business mostly on the non-creative side, such as learning about contracts, budgeting costs of materials, paint supplies, and shipping costs, and scheduling business time while juggling a family of three young kids and the restoration of an old farm. But I’m very happy with what I’ve accomplished, and find inspiration from things all around me. I hope my artwork can inspire people around the world to smile everyday!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
With Covid, and 3 young children, my husband and I haven’t been out much over the past few years, Mostly we enjoy working on our farm, but if a good friend came in to visit, we would hope it would be possible to take them on a visit to a horse racing track like the Kentucky Derby in the spring, or Keeneland in the fall, and an amazing drive through the countryside, visiting the quaint small towns along the way. Stopping into small unique places like Wallace Station Deli for a sandwich or into a local distillery like Four Roses to sample their wonderful spirts is always an enjoyable experience. Socializing at local restaurants would also be a priority, to show off the flavors of Kentucky, like bourbon, derby pie, a hot brown, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and farm-to-table meals of all types! Kentucky is vibrant with food, and culture. Events happen year round like the Fireworks and Air Show show called Thunder over Louisville, one of the largest fireworks shows in the country! I love all of these events as they are inspiration for my art!.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are multiple people who have helped and inspired me along the way including my family, friends, and teachers, I would like to give extra recognition to Colleen Karis, the owner of Colleen Karis Designs. I have worked with Colleen Karis Designs for over 15 years and she has been supportive of my art which has led me to become successful as an independent business.

Website: Artbyliesl.com

Instagram: Artbyliesl

Facebook: Art by Liesl Long Chaintreuil