Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Leyva.
Brandy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve always been artistic, but my calligraphy story began because of my love for Christmas cards. One year I decided I needed to up my game and bought a calligraphy set determined to teach myself, and I instantly fell in love. For the next four years I continued to write and would do small projects for friends from time to time, but it wasn’t until planning my own wedding that the idea of turning it into an actual business started to form in my head. And if I’m honest, had it not been for the constant support and urging of my husband, Leyco Lettering would still be nothing more than a dream. And so here we are now, over a year later, having the opportunity to work with some amazing brides, photographers, and clients such as Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Kendra Scott.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
With calligraphy, I think many people can appreciate it, but may not understand the hours and hours of practice and discipline it takes. You’re truly having to train yourself physically as often as you would work out, which may seem absurd, but to create the muscle memory takes so much constant work and development. I can tell when I haven’t been practicing, and it takes me a bit longer to get into my flow, or my strokes aren’t quite as fluid. Aside from the end product, one of the things I love most about it is that it is ever changing, and something you can make all your own. When I first started, I would try to mimic other’s work, matching their strokes and letters to a T, but it never felt completely natural, and so eventually I began to come into my own, and create my own style.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
With the technology age, I feel like the opportunity to learn different arts has become much more accessible for people and giving more room to grow.
I think being able to support local artists at different events or using them to help decorate new businesses etc. to give them the exposure, is something I’ve personally found extremely helpful, and a way to “spread” one’s brand.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can find my work on my website, www.leycolettering.com, or by following me on social media @leycolettering on Instagram and Facebook.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leycolettering.com
- Phone: 9184064055
- Email: brandy@leycolettering.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leycolettering/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeycoLettering/
Image Credit:
Kate Pease Photography
Hazel & Haze Photography
Allen Tsai
Leyco Lettering
Sarah Kate Photo
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