Ep. 13 - A Visual Journey Through My Soul: The Stories Behind My Personal Art Collection

In this episode of Lesie in Castelnaudary, Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D. invites viewers on an intimate, emotional, and visually rich tour of her home’s art collection, revealing the profound stories, friendships, and life milestones tied to each piece.

Join me as I take you on my life journey told through my art collection

Step inside my home, and you’ll step into my life story—told not in words, but in brushstrokes, textures, and the deep connections that every piece of art on my walls carries.

🧑‍🎨 A Friendship That Sparked a Creative Legacy: Rebecca Gunter

Rebecca Gunter (now Rebecca Ryan) has been a friend since high school—where she would draw beautiful notes for me before smartphones ever existed. Years later, she became a professional artist and video game character designer. One of my favorite pieces, a detailed illustration of The Monarch from The Venture Bros., is a treasured thank-you gift for career coaching.

“When you have talent, you need to stick with it... and surround yourself with people who support your vision.”

🖋️ From Pencil to Passion: Evan Shoman and La Liberation

Celebrity portrait artist Evan Shoman brought my spicy feminist romance novel La Liberation to life with a stunning pencil-drawn book cover. The collaboration was deeply joyful—and so successful, he was tapped again for her upcoming book Bad Laws.

“Faces are his forte, and he captured my characters’ essence perfectly.”

With his bold Leo energy, working with Evan was as fun as the finished result. There is noone who I trust more to capture the real beauty of a face.

🧷 A Little Graffiti, A Lot of Gratitude: Clet

This velvet-framed print by European street artist Clet was a gift from a cousin Leslie once coached. Known for his Banksy-like sticker installations on public property, Clet’s work serves as a visual thank-you—a reminder that small kindnesses return to us in beautiful ways.

🦖 A CD-Wielding T-Rex? Meet Kriky

My mother-in-law lovingly recreated a quirky Kriky piece featuring a T-Rex made of rare CDs. These imaginative copies are sentimental gifts and stand as symbols of playfulness, detail, and DIY creativity in the family.

“She’s a Virgo and the attention to detail really shows in her reproductions.”

🌈 The Funky Turtle That Lives in the Kitchen

Another Crickety-inspired work—this time a large turtle—became a conversation-starting centerpiece in the kitchen. Humor is key in Leslie’s household, and this bright, oversized art brings joy and laughs to every guest.

South Africa to Soulmate: Wesley Van Eeden (Resoborg)

Wesley’s vivid piece Race Against the Battery Percentage is not only masterfully detailed, but deeply symbolic—especially to Leslie and my ADHD husband Franck. Wesley and my friendship started through a career development site and evolved into powerful artistic collaboration.

“It’s cosmic how his art reflects moments in our lives... sometimes I see ‘bliss,’ sometimes I see ‘babe’.”

🚀 Spirituality in Space: Mike Parillo

Franck and I scraped together money early in our marriage to buy this cosmic piece from snowboard-artist Mike Parillo. Featuring a space telescope and supersonic plane, it embodies their shared love for spirituality and adventure.

Years later, it’s worth far more—both emotionally and financially.

🩸 3D Calligraphy and Blood Splatter: Van Binh

This local French-Asian artist’s work, purchased in Carcassonne, comes to life with 3D glasses. Van Binh’s surreal, calligraphy-inspired art is unforgettable—and fast gaining global recognition.

🎅 Dreams Realized: Kim Bagwill’s Santa’s Village

Years after first spotting this nostalgic painting of three sisters in a magical forest, I finally bought it. The artist hand-delivered it from LA, turning a dream into reality.

“This piece is like my Carrie Bradshaw moment... a symbol of all my dreams coming true.”

💰 From Roaches to Riches: The Antiques That Built a Life

Growing up poor in Jacksonville, I learned the value of things left behind. I began antiquing in college, restoring furniture and selling it to survive. The pieces in my home—from estate-sale porcelain eggs to century-old vases—carry memories of survival, grit, and gratitude.

🐶 Bulldog Devotion: “Big John”

This antique painting of a bulldog named Big John was destined for me. It reflects the fierce love Franck and I share for bulldogs—and for meaningful, personal art with character.

🖼️ Queer Community and College Days: Five Points & Terese Marie

Gifted by a close college friend, this painting of Five Points in Jacksonville honors a diverse and accepting community. It serves as a tribute to youthful friendships, queer spaces, and finding belonging in a segregated South.

👩‍👧 Capturing My Own Family

My own paintings depict her daughter sitting among poppies with her beloved teddy bear, and her husband Fran on a beach in the South of France.

Though not classically trained, I paint to express deep emotion and to honor my family and ancestors.

🌊 Water Signs and Wedding Memories: Jen Haley

This South Florida artist was commissioned for our first wedding anniversary. The piece—a dreamy underwater scene—celebrates their shared Cancer/Pisces connection and has traveled with them across continents.

🐎 Bold, Bright, and Unapologetic: Carol Centanni

A vivid zebra painting I discovered at her daughter’s theater performance felt instantly magnetic. Now paired with zebra decor, it embodies strength, motion, and my signature color palette.

🌺 Mimosa Dreams: Tara Flores

Tara created a triptych inspired by the South of France’s flowers and light in exchange for coaching. Her vibrant work lives on Leslie’s landing and represents both artistic joy and female empowerment.

📸 Woven With Love: Fernando Mingachea and Marcelo Bangoa

These haunting woven photo pieces commemorate Marcelo’s brother, Fernando, who died in the 2004 tsunami. The Amsterdam photo became world-famous, sold by IKEA, and even featured in a documentary. Leslie sees the series as a meditation on love, loss, and transcendence.

🛹 Skateboard Icons and Grant Brittain

On the top floor,we honor our careers in action sports with framed photos from legendary skateboard photographer Grant Brittain. Featuring icons like Rodney Mullen, these pieces connect them to Southern California’s skate-surf legacy.

Franck, Leslie and Grant Brittain celebrating a skateboarding legend

🎁 Final Reflection: Let Your Art Tell Your Life Story

Each piece in my home is more than décor—it’s a marker of a moment, a memory, or a meaningful person. From flea markets to fine commissions, her collection is a love letter to the life I've built.

“Let your art reflect your journey. Every piece should tell the story you want to leave behind.”

Artists featured in this video:

• Rebecca Gunter Ryan's work in anime and video game design is known globally.

• Evan Shoman is a well-known sports portrait artist and cover artist for my book La Liberation and Bad Laws.

• Resoborg is an artist, illustrator, and muralist who works for clients around the world.

• Kriki is a French artist who incarnates punk culture into his works.

• Clet street-style installations blur the line between graffiti and sticker activism.

• Mike Parillo has worked with LibTech and action sports brands.

• Van Binh has been featured in contemporary galleries for his calligraphic surrealism.

• Kim Bagwill and her Santa’s Village series are praised for their nostalgic light.

• Fernando Bengoechea photography was featured in IKEA and a documentary after his death in the 2004 tsunami.

• Grant Brittain is a founding legend in skateboarding photography and Transworld Skateboarding magazine.

💬 Your Turn!

Which piece of art in your home tells the most powerful story about your life?

🌟 Empowering Affirmations

• I create beauty from love.

• My journey inspires creative expression.

• Art reflects my sacred truth.

• I honor friends through creation.

• Every piece tells my story.

🎙️ Calling All Podcasters & Producers!

If you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, or TV producer looking for a soulful, articulate guest who blends art, intuition, and powerful storytelling—invite Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D. to your show. Her experiences in art, law, spirituality, and self-empowerment will captivate and inspire your audience.

👩‍🎨 About the Author: Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D.

Leslie is a psychic medium, author, and former celebrity life coach. With a background in law and international affairs, she bridges intuition, justice, and art. Her journey from poverty to personal freedom and her global adventures fuel her passion for storytelling and helping others live meaningful lives.

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