Heads up: we are rarely taking guests at this time. Our home is under construction.

I'm an artist: I have a face painting business, and also do body painting (the fine art kind– you can see my artwork at www.BrendaLeachArt.com .) We have 4 fantastic adult kids who now live elsewhere, but the impulse to express caring for people still seems to show up in my life, usually through facepainting. I like the arts in general, and enjoy dancing, including Argentine Tango with my husband Dave, who is a marketing professional and an actor. I also like great food & coffee. I like to cook, and have kids that do so professionally, so have gotten into relishing the nuances of great food!

I'm not so much a fan of cleaning my own house (sorry!), but find that helping at someone else's is way more fun. As a guest it is important to me to be respectful, and I am neat, clean and responsible in others' homes.

We've enjoyed couchsurfing connections, both as hosts and as guests. I think it's a great system, and appreciate learning from other perspectives.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am discovering that I like traveling on my own, having adventures, and I like to meet people. I like seeing my own life & area freshly through other people's eyes. I like getting to be caring. I like experiencing mutual trust. And getting to be honest with where each of us is and what actually works in our lives and coming to common ground. I like traveling in a way that I feel like I've experienced some of what's "real" about a place, not just the "made-for-tourists" version, and helping others do the same.

Interests

Swing dance, Tango, Jazz, Art, Lettering, Bodypainting, all sorts of music, my fabulous family, cooking, savoring great food, African coffee, kids

• arts
• design
• coloring
• body art
• festivals
• dancing
• tango
• swing dancing
• dining
• cooking
• traveling
• socializing
• painting
• music
• jazz

Music, Movies, and Books

Lots of different music, from Jazz (especially Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Gershwin tunes, melodic jazz) to Blues to Classical to newer things like French Hip Hop (I love Hocus Pocus) and Lupe Fiasco, and Lake Street Dive, all sorts of other things.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Raised 4 wonderful kids respectfully, without power struggles.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am happy to pitch in with chores, and to cook. I could teach some art skills. If I have supplies with me, I'd be happy to paint you or your friends! I can also share some kindness, conversation, and passion for life. I get excited about good food, cooking, about beautiful art and design, about music and color. People say I'm a good listener and ask interesting questions, and I'm accepting. Not a drama person.

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Italy