Hidden Gems: Meet Leslie & Sharee McCray of Pour It Up, In A Cup

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie & Sharee McCray.

Hi Leslie & Sharee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our journey of becoming artists occurred by accident. After my daughter moved to North Carolina, we sought to maintain our close bond. In October 2022, she discovered fluid acrylic pouring on YouTube and Instagram and shared it with me. This discovery reignited our shared love for art. We paint together via FaceTime and we’ve been painting together ever since.

My daughter applied to the African American Cultural Festival (AACF) in NC the following year on a whim and we were overjoyed and surprised to see we were accepted, as we had only been painting for 7 months. We had no idea how to prepare for a festival, let alone ever been to one, so we didn’t know where to start. Thankfully, we have some amazing pour-painting groups on Facebook that shared their tips, experiences, and pictures that helped us prepare. We had an amazing time enjoy this moment together and to our surprise we were interviewed by Channel 11 news! My daughter and I are fluid acrylic pouring abstract artists. I also incorporate stenciling, embellishments, and texture in my art. It has been a beautiful and unexpected journey with my very own daughter and best friend. We love pouring our hearts out in each painting and finding ways to share our art with the world!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have been very blessed and fortunate with painting in general and starting our company has been a smooth road thanks to our family, friends, art friends around the world.

However, we have had some obstacles with getting our website started. As many of our art friends and supporters know, my daughter and I both have been dealing with some unexpected health challenges over the past year that has prevented us from getting our website up and running like we had planned.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pour It Up, In A Cup?
We are a mother-daughter team known as “Pour It Up, In A Cup,” bonding over our shared passion for art. Our creations features two main styles: fluid acrylic pouring and abstract art incorporating stencils, textures, and embellishments on canvas, tiles, and coasters. Every piece is thoughtfully designed, handcrafted, and entirely unique, reflecting our innermost ideas and passions. Since establishing our business in 2023, despite living in different states, we’ve found ways to paint together regularly, whether through FaceTime or in person We also take part in numerous art exhibitions, festivals, and art leagues across North Carolina, which is our main location of operations.

What matters most to you?
Painting with my mom and getting to see her joy and love in every painting she makes. Painting has allowed us to express our innermost thoughts and passion for art and it is truly a joy sharing it with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pouritupinacup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pouritup_inacup?igsh=MTE5cDlpYnd3aWd3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/MqRqZ6TkSx9LBq6f/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pouritupinacup