Daily Inspiration: Meet Leslie “Lulu” Sherman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie “Lulu” Sherman.

Hi Leslie “Lulu”, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up just outside of New Orleans my world was the Louisiana bayou. I was surrounded by the rich flora and fauna of the swamp. The raw, authentic environment and my family’s history are so deeply ingrained in me that they’re the very foundation of my creative identity.

Even as a kid, I always knew I wanted to be an artist and storyteller. Filmmaking felt like the most powerful way to do that at the time. I graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in cinematography and directing and for the next ten years, I put my head down, completely focused on building a career, moving from New York to LA, San Francisco, and London. While my life and work took me far from home, the soul of the bayou and the authenticity of the people I grew up around has never left my creative DNA. It’s the unique lens through which I see the world and tell my stories.

For me, the visual language of storytelling has always been key, with cinema and photography being my primary inspirations. My choice to work in black and white is a tribute to the early films that I grew up watching as well as the timeless work of photographers like Vivian Maier and Diane Arbus, whose ability to capture the human condition in such raw, honest ways has always resonated with me.

When I started working with my hands instead of just my head—moving from screenwriting to fine art—my work naturally developed a photorealistic quality. I became obsessed with the challenge of mimicking a camera lens, of trying to replicate that soulful, cinematic essence of a person in charcoal. Nothing, to me, is more powerful than a photograph that captures something authentic and unseen in its subject. This two-year journey has led me to where I am today: a hyperrealistic figurative artist, striving to give each portrait a life of its own.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After decades working in digital filmmaking and screenwriting, I missed working with my hands. Stepping away from screens, going back to the basics of an organic medium felt both raw and incredibly versatile. Over time, I discovered it was the most natural way for me to capture the fine details and deep emotions I wanted to express in my work.

Charcoal is definitely a messy medium. I’ve had to get really good at keeping my work surface clean and avoiding smudges. It’s a trade-off I’m happy to make, though, because the process itself teaches you so much about patience and precision. Unlike digital tools or paint, you have to be super mindful of every little detail and your touch. Honestly, that whole process feels a lot like meditation, and for me, it makes the act of creating just as rewarding as the finished piece.

The biggest challenge in my work is finding depth and variety without any color. When you’re only using pencils, you have to think about every single choice you make. It forces you to get creative with shading, texture, and contrast to bring a piece to life. Achieving that sense of light and shadow, and conveying real emotion, means paying incredibly close attention to every single detail. It’s a demanding process, but it’s where all the magic happens.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a charcoal fine artist living and working in Ojai, California. I create from my home studio in the foothills of Ojai Valley as well as run a new contemporary art gallery called Still Gallery in Downtown Ojai.

After years working as a screenwriter and director, in New York, London, San Francisco, and Los Angeles I pivoted to Fine Art and portraiture as away of expressing my love of character and storytelling through a new medium.

My inspiration comes from a wide range of sources—from nature and the human form to personal memories. Ultimately, each composition is a deeply personal story that I’m telling visually, an expression of what’s happening in my life at that moment. Choosing what to draw is a blend of intuition and intention, a way of exploring the themes and emotions I’m working through myself.

I’d describe my creative process as a mix of structure and flow. Once I’ve settled on an idea which often crystallizes during meditation, I get to work building the foundation. I always work from photographs and start with light pencil marks to nail down the composition and proportions. Then, I slowly build up the layers of charcoal adding details and refining textures as I go. It’s very similar to sculpting. I’m taking flat paper and attempting to carve out a three dimensional form through shading and contouring.

My recent work has been a deep dive into themes of vulnerability, identity, and authenticity. With each piece, I hope to remind people that there is a quiet beauty in imperfection and immense strength and grace in finding your true voice.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Ojai is filled with incredible artists and a community of supportive patrons. I began Still Gallery in an effort to create more dynamic exhibition opportunities for the amazing artists in the Valley. Supporting this and other galleries in Ojai keeps our community thriving and reminds everyone that Ojai is at the center of an undoubtedly vibrant and exciting art scene. I sell original works along with the other artists represented at the gallery as well as create custom portrait commissions for clients interested in a one of a kind piece.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lulusherman.com
• Instagram: @lulushermanstudio