The LederEasel, a Creative Solution Born from Real-Life Experience
Rediscovering Painting After Decades Away
In 2016, I decided to try my hand at painting, something I had struggled with many years earlier at The School of Visual Arts in NYC. My focus during my studies was on advertising design and photography, so painting vases and trees did not interest me. I wasn’t very good at it, didn’t put in much effort, and as a result, after leaving art school, I avoided painting altogether, instead concentrating on the fields where I already had some understanding and a reasonable chance of earning a living.
When the Tools Get in the Way
Decades later, I was determined to try painting again, wishing to explore a creative outlet away from my computer screen. I bought a French field easel, a box of pastels, and enrolled in a workshop with Liz Haywood-Sullivan, a gifted painter and teacher.
That’s when two things became clear:
1. My painting fundamentals were weak.
2. My equipment was holding me back.
My pastels lacked essential neutrals, and the French easel was bulky, unstable, and excessive for pastels. I soon found myself blaming the tools—and rightfully so. In class, I noticed students using lightweight tripod setups that held their boards; they appeared to be simple and practical. Later that night, I looked them up online, and was surprised by the high cost. Rather than buy one, I decided to design my own—something that would work better for me, and at less cost.
That’s when two things became clear:
1. My painting fundamentals were weak.
2. My equipment was holding me back.
My pastels lacked essential neutrals, and the French easel was bulky, unstable, and excessive for pastels. I soon found myself blaming the tools—and rightfully so. In class, I noticed students using lightweight tripod setups that held their boards; they appeared to be simple and practical. Later that night, I looked them up online, and was surprised by the high cost. Rather than buy one, I decided to design my own—something that would work better for me, and at less cost.
Inventing a Better Easel from the Ground Up
With a background in product design, furniture building, and digital visualization, I had the skills to make this happen. I sketched out a design—on my computer, naturally—that emphasized stability, simplicity, and portability.
By the next workshop, I had built my prototype. It was light, strong, and fast to set up.
My paintings hadn’t improved much, but I looked more prepared, and other students took notice.
Several approached me asking where I bought my setup. When I explained I had made it, someone asked the question that changed everything:
“Are you planning to make more?”
By the next workshop, I had built my prototype. It was light, strong, and fast to set up.
My paintings hadn’t improved much, but I looked more prepared, and other students took notice.
Several approached me asking where I bought my setup. When I explained I had made it, someone asked the question that changed everything:
“Are you planning to make more?”
From Prototype to Product
That drive home changed the course of my creative life. I decided to invest time and resources into refining the concept. Over two years, I tested magnets, springs, and various mechanisms—then stripped everything down to what artists need: a solid, elegant, no-nonsense easel.
While developing the easel, I realized I also needed a place to hold my painting medium. I wanted it to have similar qualities as the easel, designed to be simple to set up, functional, and compact.
The result was the Palette Holder, and together with the easel, the LederEasel Kit was born, as a thoughtfully engineered solution for artists who paint both in the studio and outdoors.
My next step was to partner with a manufacturer and learn how to build a website.
While developing the easel, I realized I also needed a place to hold my painting medium. I wanted it to have similar qualities as the easel, designed to be simple to set up, functional, and compact.
The result was the Palette Holder, and together with the easel, the LederEasel Kit was born, as a thoughtfully engineered solution for artists who paint both in the studio and outdoors.
My next step was to partner with a manufacturer and learn how to build a website.
The LederEasel Kit Today
Today, thousands of artists in over 35 countries rely on the LederEasel for their creative process—whether painting in a studio, backyard, or mountaintop. What began as a personal workaround has become a trusted tool for artists around the world, for those just starting their painting journey, to professionals and teachers alike.
Ironically, the very medium I once avoided led me to invent something now central to the work of so many others. This journey continues to be humbling, surprising, and a deeply worthwhile learning experience.
Ironically, the very medium I once avoided led me to invent something now central to the work of so many others. This journey continues to be humbling, surprising, and a deeply worthwhile learning experience.
