Leslie Anne shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Leslie, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
As an artist, I’ve learned that my creative journey moves in seasons. There are periods when I feel called to create, and other times when the focus shifts toward marketing, reflection, or simply living life. After several months of not feeling particularly inspired, I’m now entering a season of renewed creativity. This chapter isn’t just about making art—it’s also about sharing it openly and allowing myself to receive in return.
That means experimenting with new ways of expression, whether through creating engaging videos to showcase my process, designing coloring pages that invite others into moments of creativity, or developing merchandise that extends my art beyond the canvas. On a personal level, it also means choosing myself again—prioritizing the relationships, habits, and practices that fill my cup and allow me to show up fully as an artist and individual.
I’m also embracing opportunities to expand the reach of my work. Recently, several of my pieces were featured on the new series Demascus, now streaming on Tubi, which marked an exciting step in sharing my vision with wider audiences.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Leslie Anne, a multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta whose work blends bold color, Afrofuturism, and storytelling. My art explores identity, emotion, and belonging while celebrating the cultural richness of Black women and queer voices. Through painting, illustration, and digital collage, I create pieces that are both personal reflections and universal invitations for connection. Right now, I’m expanding my practice and pushing new creative boundaries to spark dialogue and unity through art. I’m interested in creating more immersive art pieces that blend the various techniques that I have picked up throughout my practice. I have also recently added merchandise like hats, totes, and mugs, which represent my brand and give my supporters another way to support me and my art practice.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that I’m releasing is the one that holds limiting beliefs about what I can achieve. For a long time, I found myself settling for smaller opportunities instead of fully believing that I was capable of taking on larger projects with major brands. I’m also letting go of the part of me that felt safer staying in the background. It’s time to embrace the version of myself that is ready to step confidently into the spotlight.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time when I almost gave up on my educational ambitions. I had applied to graduate school and did not get in, but it did not prevent me from trying again and eventually getting accepted. I’ve learned to bet on myself every time and trust in God when things may not seem likely. Anything is possible, so I’ve learned to advocate for myself and assert that everything is ultimately working for my greatest good.
There was a moment in my journey when I almost walked away from my educational ambitions. After applying to graduate school and not being accepted, I felt disappointed and questioned whether pursuing that path was truly meant for me. But something within me refused to let that be the end of my story. I later tried again, with a different career focus, I was eventually accepted.
That experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: to bet on myself, even when the odds don’t appear to be in my favor. It also deepened my faith and trust in God, reminding me that closed doors often redirect us toward something greater. I now approach challenges with the belief that anything is possible and with the conviction that everything, even setbacks, is ultimately working together for my highest good. It’s this mindset that fuels me to advocate for myself, step boldly into opportunities, and keep moving forward with resilience.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The version of me that people see publicly is very much my true self. Authenticity is one of my core values, and I’m intentional about showing up as myself in every space. At times, I may come across as a bit reserved when first meeting new people, and I naturally set boundaries by giving different levels of access depending on the relationship. Other times, I may come across as outgoing, goofy, and talkative. Still, what you see in public or online is genuinely me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I have a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all things—the way energy flows, the presence of consciousness in everything around us, and how we are all linked through it. I also experience emotions and energy on a profound level, which shapes the way I move through the world and connect with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LoveLA.biz
- Instagram: @myleslieanne
