My Story
Meet Lesa, the “Light” Behind the Artistry
Hello, I’m Lesa Vander Bie. Welcome! Well, I comes from a long line of creatives in my family – musicians, singers, architects, interior designers, home builders, quilters and gourmet cooks.
I am a Midwestern girl with a zest for life who grew up playing in the woods of Michigan, exploring the deserts of Arizona and living along the gorgeous coastline of Southern California. I initially immersed myself in the fine arts, studying ballet en pointe with Derva Snider at the Mission Viejo School of Dance, acting at South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory, and professional Vocal and Voiceover Training. I have enjoyed performing in theatre, TV commercials, independent films, voiceover work, and as a soloist throughout California.
I also earned a Bachelors from University of California, Irvine and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University and opened a thriving private counseling practice. I continue to enjoy helping others heal, build healthy relationships, and create fulfilling lives while setting an example by living a full thriving life myself.
In December 2013 my dear dad died to lung cancer. The loss was profound as we were very close and he was a significant advocate in my life. I was encouraged by a friend to dabble in watercolor to process my grief. Mind you, I had absolutely no visual arts training, and bought “craft” instead of watercolor brushes. In 2017, I met Julie Maloney, Business Coach (England) who helped me hone my vision for what God had in store for me. Her empathetic style and focus on clarity, healthy mindset, and small steps ignited a fire in me.
In March of 2018, my yearning to express my artistic self was undeniable, which led to deep conversations with God. A friend told me about a mentoring group for Christian artists led by Matt Tommey. So I took a leap of faith and went to Matt’s conference in March of 2018 in Asheville, North Carolina. It was an amazing time of refreshment, insight, fellowship, and a new budding community of thriving artist friends on a spiritual journey to make a greater impact together in the world.
Well, the week before I left for Asheville, I met John Eagle, an impressionistic oil painter from Laguna Beach, CA during a live oil painting demo, and when I returned from the conference, I was invited to be mentored by him for the past two years. The switch in mediums to oils was eye-opening. I found my “language.” John’s encouragement and wisdom breathed new wind into my sails and I began to soar.
Welcome to my journey. I look forward to hearing from you as to how I can serve you best. I am so grateful we’ve crossed paths!
A live painting demonstration 2019, 60x30” Custom “White Hydrangeas”