Lesley Johnson is a NYC-based designer and skilled artisan specializing in custom handmade signage, interior decorative painting, and murals for hospitality, retail, and residential clients. With a versatile portfolio, she has collaborated independently and with top art directors and agencies on projects for renowned names such as The Chelsea Hotel, Jimmy Kimmel, Rachael Ray, The Plaza Hotel, The Four Seasons Hotel, A. Lange & Söhne, and Major Food Group’s Santina, Parm, Dirty French, and Sadelle's. Her clientele also includes leading restaurant and hospitality groups, packaging designers, and independent businesses both in NYC and internationally.
Over her career, Lesley has created more than 500 custom pieces, earning widespread acclaim. Her PLANTER font won an Award of Excellence from Communication Arts Magazine, reflecting her design innovation and craftsmanship. Additionally, her work has been featured over a dozen times on Adobe’s Behance, the premier online portfolio platform for creative professionals.
Paintings
In 2024, Lesley returned to painting, embracing it as a medium that allows direct physical expression. Her paintings have been praised as sublime, evocative, and alive—echoing the influences of William Turner, Richard Hambleton’s “Beautiful Paintings,” and David Bierk.
Lesley’s painting approach is contemplative, with every brushstroke serving as a bridge between the viewer and the endless universe. Her art encourages thoughtful engagement, inviting each viewer to experience a personal connection with the work.
Currently based in Brooklyn, NY, her paintings have been acquired by private collectors and public institutions, including The Chelsea Hotel. Lesley's artwork has been exhibited multiple times at Van de Plas Gallery on NYC’s Lower East Side, further cementing her reputation as a notable contemporary artist.