Writer & Photographer / Kara Reibel
Lesley Haflich has loved art since she was a child. After graduating from Broad Ripple High School, she attended Purdue University where she earned a BFA in fine art. This Noblesville resident and mother of three is now doing what she loves full-time. Most artists work alone, yet Lesley found that in order to push herself, she found it helpful to be around other artists.
Haflich transitioned to her full-time status gradually. She began with a morning painting group, then joined the Hamilton County Artists’ Association. The feedback and encouragement of fellow artists helped cultivate her talents and self-confidence.
Originally, Haflich tried various rooms in her home as her art studio with only her cat to vocalize an opinion. It became clear that it was time to have a space of her own outside her home. “It is nice to be in a building with so many talented artists,” states Haflich, who is now an artist in residence at the Nickel Plate Arts in downtown Noblesville.
As with the time spent on her craft, Haflich’s style has evolved and so has her reach. She is a member of the Co-Op for the Center for Creative Arts (CCA), Indiana’s longest running artists’ owned gallery. The CCA started in Broad Ripple 37 years ago with its latest home in Carmel in the Carmel Arts & Design District. She was recently the featured artist in the CCA Co-Op gallery with a collection inspired by roundabouts.
“Carmel is putting in their 100th roundabout this summer,” states Haflich, who was the featured artist at the CCA in May during race month.
Haflich describes her style as “realistic with a flair of Impressionism.” She takes in a variety of elements and may emphasize a painting with vibrant color. Colorful, fun and cohesive, her work stands out.
“There’s nothing more in the moment than being out in nature trying to translate the experience into a two-dimensional piece of art that anyone can appreciate,” says Haflich, who participates in a handful of plein air events, her favorite being the First Brush of Spring in New Harmony which is sponsored by the Hoosier Salon.
Haflich is happy to be featured in the Meyer Najem headquarters in Fishers during the months of July and August in their second floor gallery. She is serving as Chairman of this year’s Noblesville Art Fair on the Square for her third term. The event will be Saturday, August 6.
To see more, please visit LesleyHaflichArtist.com or nickelplatearts.com.
Her Roundabout series of paintings will be unveiled at Meyer and Najem (their first ever art exhibit) in their new building, on Friday night, July 15 from 6-9pm, as part of the Nickel Plate Arts Crawl.
