About Me

My name is Leshalyn James, and my story begins with growing up very alone and isolated. As a kid and teenager, everyday I came home to a broken family and everyday I went to school with no meaningful connections among my peers. I could be around anyone but never truly fit into anywhere. I was no one’s first call and had no one to call first. I struggled to find a true group while still learning my identity. For years I carried this quiet hope that something would change, but it never did.

It wasn’t until my late college years that I realized I was never meant to fit into a group. I was crafted to stand apart. What once felt like rejection now became direction. Now I get to be the very community for others who have felt the same way.

In the beginning, art was my mask. I used symbols, colors, and shapes so I could put my feelings on paper without anyone knowing they were looking straight at me, exposed and vulnerable. It was like speaking to a crowd while everyone had their ears plugged. But the Lord had a different plan. He called me to create with openness, to use those same colors and shapes not to hide, but to reveal its meaning. My work became a way to honor the weight of my story while inviting others to step into it. That weight created freedom, allowing others to be vulnerable and to heal together.

Maybe you’ve felt like an outsider too. Maybe you’ve known what it’s like to be surrounded by people yet still feel invisible. If so, I want you to know you are not alone here. My art exists to carry messages of healing, restoration, and transformation. Each piece is a chance for us to connect, to breathe, and to be reminded that God is still writing beauty into our lives.

Now based in Charlotte, NC, I’ve established “Restored By Design” by Leshalyndezyre as a space for original paintings, prints, and prophetic commissions. My medium of choice is oil painting because it allows me to slow down, explore depth and color, and capture the essence of the human spirit. My prayer is that when my work enters your space, it does not just decorate your walls. It brings peace, joy, and love. It leaves you with hope.

For me, art isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. And I’m honored to share that journey with you.

Interested in my previous created works? Check out my online portfolio here!