Professional women artists who empower each other

and the community through their art





On Saturday, August 14, Leslie DeBrocky, founding member of ARTsisters as well as my dear friend and colleague, died unexpectedly at the age of 59. Leslie was a creative force whose kindness and caring were apparent to all who knew her.


Her artist statement reads " Born into a creative environment, artist father and inspiring mother, destiny began. Art is a face, a force, never absent, never silent. Possessing a vibrant, active, colorful mind, and the skills to create images is serving me well. Art is my confidante, voice, solution and salvation. Exposing my ideas, images, humor, sarcasms and statements, fertilizes the art within. Reaction to my creations evokes growth in both creator and viewer."


Her bout with arrhythmia in the last 3 years sapped her of physical strength and made it difficult for her to achieve some of the goals she wanted to achieve, but she fought to do as much as she could, participating in the ARTsisters' show at Widener University in March 2010 as well as in many family functions and friends' artists' receptions. She also created art, scaling down the size to make it manageable.


She had a solo show in Wilmington in 2008 which she titled "Circus Heart." Here is her statement: Until recently, mindful activity consistently generated images begging my interpretation. This consuming pastime gave me two things: A wealth of inspiration as my source of creation, and limited body awareness. Uninvited, my heart became the dominating body part. On its own, without invitation, it simply moved from my mind (where it belongs, so it could navigate my work) into my chest. "The Heart" took over, beating selfishly for itself not others, not art, not me. It was called names: "Circus Heart." I was called names: "Arrhythmia Whore." It will not win. It is simply "Inappropriate." My featured piece is "Circus Heart." Dedicated to Doctors David Callans and Andrew Quint, who never questioned my mind, nor gave up on helping me win. A portion of the proceeds will support Arrhythmia Awareness.


I started ARTsisters with Leslie in mind because we were like sisters in our support of each others' creative lives. We all miss her light, sparkle and support very much.


Linda Dubin Garfield, founder

PECO Crown Lights, Philadelphia, PA - June, 2010