"In early February 2021, the bleakness of winter got to the New York City based artist Leslie Kerby. She decided to reach out to friends near and far, as she had done during lockdown, this time asking them to send photos of the places around their house where they were able to find some solitude. She contacted everyone individually which opened up possibilities for longed for exchange. To her delight she received many beautiful photos. It took her a couple of days to figure out how she would paint from them. Ultimately, she decided on watercolor, acrylic and mixed media collage on vellum, which enabled painting on both sides, while letting the light in. 'It was a gift to visit with everyone in their home.

A testament to the value of human connection,' she says."

--ArtSpiel blog: https://artspiel.org/leslie-kerby-happy-place-project/

"This is where I like to sit, it gets beautiful southern sun in the daytime and it feels secluded in the evening."

"When I am not in the studio, I spend a lot of time reading and listening to music in my den."

"The place I sit to dream, compose and write."

"In order to write, I research and read. This is my favorite reading chair."

"My favorite private reading chair. Downstairs from my studio, I get great southern light. It always gives me cheer even on a cloudy day."

"We welcome any moments that we can enjoy our garden on the roof and gaze into the sky."

"After waking up at a decent time I do my morning exercise a combination of stretching yoga and disco dance; no one can watch me so who cares. Three quarters of an hour later I read the mail, the news and whatever there's to read while enjoying my coffee."

"Since lockdown loss of income I moved out of my studio and set up shop in my apartment. I don't really have a relaxing spot anymore. I set up a little coffee station and a coffee making ritual every morning which is relaxing. I sometimes sit on a box and sip my coffee...I got really into making coffee."

"This is the other half of my home studio. I'm always inventing and like to have everything at the ready."

"Bises from our bathroom."

"The pillow was a gift from a dear pal who embroidered one of my 5th grade student's poems (correct handwriting font and all):."

"I came here a month before quarantine. The best part was this private outdoor tub. It looks like a regular hot tub, but it was actually connected to hot springs here, so I got to spend hours soaking in the healing waters."

"I spend a lot of time in my mother's flat. This is my mother's old fashioned dining room."

"Probably my favorite place to read is lying down on the couch in the living room. The couch needs to be reupholstered or replaced but that require actual work or thought so I keep putting it off."

"This is my pandemic plant (!) It has been keeping me company in my studio, and helping me to appreciate time, breath, growth - reaching and unfurling."

"This is my studio comfort zone. It shows my little couch with supplies looming at my side. The room was originally the LR of my house, which explains the 'picture window' behind the couch. Anyway, this is where I rest, write notes, and often just think how lucky I am to have a safe private place to work during this time."

"I love how you have captured all of the details of my porch where I spend a lot of time with my plants."

"From New Jersey, I overlook Manhattan and compose."

"One of the final evenings in my small studio apartment. Packing for a move."

"My Fulbright studio in Morocco"

"My summer dacha outside of Moscow"

"Finally able to visit my family's place in Cuba"

"Our place in the country to relax."

"This is where I am composing all of my music since the pandemic."

"My zen space out running.

This is my walk at Neale woods. I would do this walk often to reconnect with myself.

These are trying times indeed.

I'm taking them as excuses to succeed."

--with thanks to my friends in Brooklyn, NY | Asheville, NC | Milan, IT | Moscow, RU | Hudson, NY | Bethesda, MD | Albany, NY | Zaadam, NL | Auvillar, FR | Missoula, MT | Truth or Consequences, NM | Queens, NY | Denver, CO