We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leah Nadeau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leah, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I started painting regularly in late 2014 when living in the United Kingdom. I was doing my masters in film theory and found that painting with watercolors was not only fun, but it helped me with stress.
I learned how to paint by simply painting. I put in 6-10 hours a day of painting since I began and I learn as I create.
I’m completely self taught and painting consistently every single day is how I managed to come so far and really hone my skills.
Many times I am in my own way when it comes to learning, because I am a perfectionist in my work. I will scrap a painting or paint over it if I feel it isn’t good enough. Looking back over photos of works I painted over, it makes me sad that I was so critical of great works.
It’s important to allow works to breathe for a few days before you decide to scrap them.
I think the best skill I’ve learned is color theory. I have a great eye for color and I’m known to make unique color palettes in my work. If you’re an artist, learning color theory is essential.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a contemporary abstract painter from Michigan, but I recently moved to the Seattle area.
My work is inspired by design movements of the 20th century, aerial views from airplanes, and film theory, which is the study of film’s relationship to reality and all that encompasses it.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?
The most rewarding thing about my career is that I get paid to express myself and people what to experience what I’m expressing in my work.
When someone buys my artwork it’s so validating to who I am and as an artist.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think society could support independent artists a lot more by using the internet to seek out artists and purchase their work directly from them.
I’m all for affordable prints and originals, but seek out buying directly from the artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: Leahnadeau.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/leahnadeau.art
- Facebook: Facebook.com/leahnadeau.art
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahnadeau
- Twitter: Twitter.com/artbyleahnadeau
Image Credits
Olivia Mckay