Lesley Schatz

Lesley Schatz was born the third daughter to Don and Joyce Boll. The family lived in rural southern Alberta most of Les' growing up years.
Les got a wonderful upbringing by being in the right spot at the right time listening to old timers tales at brandings and musical get togethers which happened regularly at Les' parents because Joyce played a mean piano, Having a school teacher Mom encouraged Les' love of the English language.
Les paints and writes songs and stories in her spare time, and she also builds all sizes of Cree and Sioux tipis.These can be seen on www.thecowboytrail.com/tipiretreat Lesley has her own eco camping site where she teaches frailing banjo and watercolor classes Lesley's paintings can be seen on www.artistsincanada.com then type in Lesley schatz when they ask for artist
In an article, "History of the Cowgirl," about watercolor shows that Lesley Schatz did for several years through Fall, 2003, author Lisa Wojna wrote, "Along with her daily routine of painting from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. every morning, doing the chores necessary to care for their dozen or more registered Clydesdale horses, checking the chickens, home-schooling 17-year-old Lizzy[Eliz is now doing a Master's in Geology], caring for Nick, writing songs and producing CDs, doing the housework and cooking dinner, Lesley is also Ernie's vet assistant today..."I am now doing Music and Art full time as Ernie is doing Locums for other Vet clinics,freeing up our tme considerably!My other two children are Will[soundman extraordinaire and Mad Cowboy's Drummer,tour organizer etc. etc., and Noni ,currently doing a Master's in Philosophy and eldest sister to the other 3!.
The art show was held in Etzikom[ where we lived as tiny children and my all time favorite place other than The Porcupine Hills, Tubingen, Germanyand Huftaroy, Norway. and called "The History of the Cowgirl through a Painter's Eye," and included "a collection of 31paintings of cowgirls, documenting the early days of the rodeo and celebrating their contribution in taming the wild prairie." Since this show, I've had many other watercolor shows and am currently entertaining thoughts of finding one gallery to represent me...I do not do prints of my paintings and sell only originals.
Lesley is also well known for her music, and she has a number of recordings. www.bear-family.de has put Lesley on alot of compilations. Check out Lesley's work with Mike Dunbar and Richard Bennett on her music clips. Most of Lesley's material is live off the floor with no preproduction and marathon recording situations[78 songs in 3 day sessions etc...]
Lesley Schatz is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the Alberta Women of Country Music Hall of Fame . Read more about the award and about Lesley's music at the Bear Family Records site . Lesley's music is also available on Amazon.com
ATTENTION TEACHERS: Lesley Schatz Miciak Has her Mouthbow and Mural Painting workshop available for the Artists in Residence Program again this year! Learn how to build an aboriginal instrument and depict the song you learn on a mural that you paint in a group session! Contact Lesley at www.myspace.com/lesleyschatz Also check out these great links!
Cowboy poetry
Hugh McLennan Music Reviews
Artists in Canada
Mother Love
Avisen-avk