Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Anne.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an independent multidisciplinary artist specializing in Afrofuturistic mixed media art, digital collage, and portraiture. I sell original paintings and limited edition prints on my website LoveLA.biz, Etsy, and Society 6. I first started selling my artwork on Etsy in 2015. My business started with online sales, and then I began selling my artwork in art exhibitions and pop-ups around the country. In 2021, I had my first solo exhibition. I also started making cover art for musicians and showcasing my art in publications such as Vanity Fair UK. My business has grown organically, with me accepting opportunities that align with my values. I’m always experimenting with my art and creating new collections in remixed styles.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are struggles along the way as an artist entrepreneur. I think in the art field especially, there isn’t a template on how to go about becoming successful. Right now I’m an independent artist and the owner of Studio Leslie Anne, LLC. Creating art and being business-minded is difficult. Some of the challenges I’ve faced stem from not understanding the art world/market and lacking a significant connection to stakeholders in the community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a self-taught multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta, Georgia by way of East St. Louis, Illinois. My artistic catalog spans multiple mediums as I fully embrace experimentation and expansion. My style of painting with acrylic and oil paints showcases a rich interplay of vivid colors. Simultaneously, my illustrations and collage-style digital artworks capture the ephemeral essence of contemporary existence, contrasting images and textures with an innovative, surrealistic flair. With cosmic, colorful, and emotionally expressive creations, I invite the viewer to explore the depths of their own humanity and discover the interconnectedness that binds us as a global community.
The thing that sets my work apart is I use my artistic talent to celebrate and uplift the cultural richness and beauty of Black people and women. As a Black woman artist, I seek to challenge the prevailing underrepresentation of Black women in the artistic landscape, assuming the responsibility of presenting my truth with an unapologetic authenticity. Through my art, I seek to weave a tapestry of collective connection, inviting viewers to partake in my narrative, find solace in shared experiences, and delve into the intricacies of their own individual journeys. Evoking a sense of introspection, my work transcends mere visual representation, delving into the realm of the metaphysical, with celestial motifs of stars, clouds, and expansive skies serving as symbolic vehicles to explore the vast spectrum of human emotions, vulnerability, and our shared humanity.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think flexibility is one of the best qualities that anyone can have. I value flexibility because it allows a person to pivot, consider alternatives, and assess situations without being so tethered to the process. I think that being flexible and open-minded has served me well because it gave me space to let in opportunities that were not on my radar. And experiment with my art. Kindness and professionalism are also vital to my business. I like to communicate with collectors and also express appreciation that they support my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: LoveLA.biz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myleslieanne/
Image Credits
Leslie Anne
