Cover Artist – Lesley Weiss

by Tracy McCoy

away. Her grandma was teaching her to sew and Lesley loved learning and the time spent together. She remembers always enjoying art class in school and was drawn to creative projects. Lesley was also drawn to tennis and she was very good at it. Many years had passed since she sat beside her grandmother at the sewing machine. College, children and marriages. Her husband Doug Weiss was standing on stage with a guitar in his hands when Lesley first saw him. She agreed he was easy on the eyes but she was a young mother with a child to think about. After a few visits to the neighborhood restaurant where Doug played piano and guitar, the couple began to chit chat and that’s when that smile took on depth and she could see her future in his eyes. The greatest romance of her life was taking shape and that spark still surprises her today. Doug’s grandfather, Paul Weiss, started what would be the largest commercial rose growing facility in Michigan. The Weiss family’s business, Mount Clemens Rose Gardens, became known for their beautiful roses. After working in the family business for years, Doug found himself yearning for something different. He and Lesley had some friends living in Marietta, Georgia and the grass looked a little greener in the Peach State. They put their home on the market, Doug left the family business and they made the move south. They liked the southern hospitality, the generosity and kindness. Lake Lanier led the family to Flowery Branch where they made their new home. Lesley then traveled to VanDerMeer University on Hilton Head Island to attain her Tennis Instructor Certification. She began volunteer lessons for students at nearby Eagle Ranch, and at Lakeview Academy where her children attended school. Lesley inquired at Gainesville College about borrowing their courts for Lakeview’s use, which prompted the Continuing Education Department to invite her to teach a community tennis program. In addition, the academic division asked her to teach an accredited class for the P.E. Department. This turned out to be one of her greatest joys, sharing her skills with college students of Spring and Fall semesters for many years. “I like to think my class was the best part of their day. It was pure fun.” While at Gainesville College, Lesley took a class in Painting where she learned to make her own canvasses. Her interest in painting took hold, and she completed her Associate of Arts Degree.

Who knew I would like Lesley Weiss so much? Maybe it was our Michigan connection, she and I both born and raised there. Or maybe it was that we both love art. Whatever it was I thoroughly enjoyed spending a couple hours with her. I can’t wait to share what I learned about Lesley and her Nacoochee Lake Art.

Going back to her home just north of Detroit near Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Lesley remembers her first creative endeavors including a walk to her grandmother’s house a couple blocks

Life for the family was good and then the kids went off to school and retirement was staring them in the face. Doug just happened to be in the right place at the right time. A For Sale sign on the side of the road led him to turn in and look at what was known as “the Jackie West house”. Your classic original lake home but with gorgeous wormy chestnut and Kentucky Fieldstone. He brought Lesley back to see it and they decided It was a perfect fit. The home was in desperate need of a facelift and extensive repairs. The perfect project for this couple. The remodel turned out even better than they imagined and life on Seed Lake was grand. One evening while sitting on the deck overlooking the lake watching the “Cocktail Cruise”, Lesley thought about what these neighbors could see looking towards their boathouse. Noticing her boathouse was plain, she began ruminating about boathouse art. She envisioned pieces that could be switched out and they would add an element of interest to her boathouse. The first piece was a sunrise coming up over the lake. It was well received with boaters making their way over to express their appreciation for her art. This encouraged her to create more lake art. From ducks and birds to the boat paddles you see on our cover, Lesley’s collection kept growing. When her guitar pickin’ husband built a studio for her to paint in, he won her heart all over again. In her words, “Painting pulls me in to the moment, calm, and carefree.” I think this statement is shared by most artists and ultimately a large part of why they see everything as their next canvas. Soon word of Lesley’s art made it to town and that’s when local restaurants agreed to hang it in their spaces. Currently Lesley’s large-scale, vibrant art brightens up Rabun County at Currahee Brewing Co., Rumor Hazit, the Chophouse at LaPrades, the porch at Fromage and is featured this month at Fortify Kitchen & Bar. Her boathouse art works well for porch art, in homes and businesses. In addition to her art on wood painted mostly with layers of stain, you will find soft watercolors, and rich acrylic on canvas. Her sketch pad is full and she is working on a few commissions. She has named her art studio Nacoochee Lake Art Studio and that is how you will find her online www.nacoocheelakeart.com or on Facebook by searching @nacoocheelake.art. Lesley is also a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. This year she had her booth at the annual Celebrate Clayton festival while Doug was on stage at the Rock House. The Weiss’ have three children, each with their own set of talents, experiencing success. They are spread from a few miles away to the other side of the country. There are two granddaughters who are a delight and so I asked, when you aren’t spending time with family or painting what do you enjoy? “Cooking! I love to cook,” she said with a spark in her eye. “I used to work at Williams Sonoma and rarely did I bring home a full check because I kept finding kitchen tools I couldn’t live without,” she joked. Lesley walks daily and that quiet time allows her time to practice mindfulness, enjoy the sights and sounds of the lake and its creatures. She is very close with her sisters and they have their own private Facebook page where they can stay in contact. Her favorite place to be is sitting beside her husband at their home by the lake, listening to him play, talking and laughing with him. “We have fallen in love with the people here and value the warmth they have shown us.”