Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Lawrence.
Leah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always loved drawing. As long as I’ve thought about it. It’s the one thing in my life that’s always brought me joy. I think I’ve always known my calling was creating art in any form I could. My grandmother had Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” hung above my crib. As a toddler, my first canvas was done with permanent markers on the white wall of my parents’ apartment! I used to watch Bob Ross at the crack of dawn every day, and I loved watching my sister draw when I was little. I have the fondest memories of sharing one of those all-in-one art briefcases, with her teaching me how to use charcoal and colored pencils. I just remember being fascinated with the process and the endless colors. Growing up, my school notebooks ended up filled with illustrations and poetry instead of notes. In middle school, I got a pen tablet, and it was one of the happiest days of my life. I used it for about 12 years straight. In the last six years, I’ve built a humble following online and I’ve learned a lot. Art has always been a constant in my life.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. We had to move quite a few times when I was younger. I’ve lost all the art I made then, due to hurricanes and flooding. During middle and high school, I dealt with insecurities about myself and my art. I struggled to find my own voice. These days, I’ve grown up a lot, and I’m the happiest and most confident I’ve ever been. I throw myself headfirst into anything I find interesting, and try to learn as much as I can. It’s taken a long time to learn, but now I know how to take care of myself. Every day I wake up, I thank God for every blessing I have. I look forward to the challenges of each day. I also find that keeping a healthy distance from the internet and not being caught up in social media has helped me have a healthier mindset.
Please tell us about your work.
I do digital and traditional art. Portraits and interesting characters are my favorite thing to create. My digital work is done with a large Intuous pen tablet and it is an absolute beast. I also use a variety of physical mediums, such as acrylic, watercolor and gouache paints, dry brush ink, pencil, gel pen, clay, resin, wood, dried flowers, stickers, and anything else I’m trying to challenge myself with that day. Character design has always been my niche, though. I also love doing landscapes, they’re very therapeutic. I find inspiration in music, nature, food, fashion. Any little things that lift me up. I think what I’m most known for would be my storytelling, characters and use of color. I’m proud of my ability to work with different mediums successfully. I’m proud of how I’m able to portray my feelings through my art. I hope what sets me apart is that I try to bring joy to my life and the lives of others, whenever I can.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I grew up during that big online shift in the 2000s when sites like DeviantArt and Tumblr were just getting popular. People realized they could make a living online making art. These days, you can become involved in so many different projects depending on your artistic focus, style and set of skills. There’s so much demand for digital art and endless possibilities to get your name out there. The internet has its downsides, and the social media aspects of having your art online can be tough to manage. I truly think anything is possible if you try hard enough, though. It’s all about balance. You have to try your best and do what you want vs. doing what you think others want you to do. The biggest trends right now really seem to be about creating things by hand. Connecting to what makes you feel alive. Art as self-care, as therapy. Creation for the sake of creation, inspiring other people and telling personal stories. And even as the digital side of art grows exponentially, I think there will always be a space and appreciation for traditional mediums.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/milkyy.draws
- Email: milkymintshop.920@gmail.com
- Instagram: @milkyymintt.draws
- Other: Milkyymintt-draws.tumblr.com
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