We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lerie Turner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lerie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was illustrating a med-surge book titled *Dr E’s Tips & Tricks Electrocardiogram 1st edition workbook. Dr. Elaine Lloyd, PhD, created this innovative workbook, which is designed to resemble a children’s coloring book with cartoon-like illustrations, to make learning less intimidating and more engaging. The book simplifies extremely complex EKG information, making it accessible even to those without a medical background, like myself. For example: on pg. 47 in the book, “Run of V-tach”(on an EKG) – means there are 3 PVC’s in a row , the cartoon illustration shows a man run across the peak of the 3 PVC’s.

This project is particularly meaningful to me because of its potential impact. It aids nursing students with part of NCLEX, serves as a valuable reference for medical professionals, and helps patients better understand their EKG results and heart health. Over the course of two years, Dr. Lloyd and I collaborated closely to bring her vision to life. It was incredibly rewarding to see how my illustrations could make such a difference in understanding critical medical information.

Moreover, the workbook includes interactive mindfulness tools and techniques, such as a positive affirmation page, to help readers mentally process and reframe their approach to learning challenging medical concepts. Being part of a project that not only educates but also supports mental well-being was an enriching and fulfilling experience for me. The book is available for purchasing at nemuse8.com.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and my work. I’m Lerie Turner, also known as Purpl3skyy, and I’m a visual artist and creative entrepreneur. My journey into the arts began as a Makeup Artist (MUA) back in 1998 when I worked as an assistant in a hair salon. This experience laid the foundation for my understanding of beauty, style, and the power of visual transformation.

My career as a MUA really took off when I set a goal to work with MAC Cosmetics. Their high standards and comprehensive training helped me understand the intricacies of makeup beyond the basics, pushing me to excel. An early milestone in my career was working on a film short called “The Advent” by Jabbar Thomas. Despite my initial fears, this experience was pivotal, giving me the confidence to pursue professional opportunities and develop my skills further.

Working with MAC Cosmetics at The Grove of Beverly Hills was transformative. Their approach to staying ahead of industry trends in hair, makeup, and fashion inspired me to look at makeup as part of a larger creative process. This insight led me to expand my skills into fashion styling and photography. Over time, I began offering a comprehensive service package: makeup, styling, set arranging, and photography. This 360-degree service allows me to capture the client’s energy and essence in photos, providing a unique and personalized experience.

My journey into art was somewhat unexpected. In 2018, my youngest son, Nehemiah, asked me to draw with him. This sparked a passion for drawing and sketching that I hadn’t fully explored before. I started with simple sketches, which soon led to commissioned work, including a piece contrasting the consequences faced by Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein.

As an artist, I create vibrant, abstract works that often celebrate African American culture and themes of empowerment. My art is available on platforms like Redbubble, where I sell designs on products such as t-shirts, stickers, and prints. My portfolio is marked by colorful, dynamic pieces that emphasize both individual and collective identity.

What sets me apart is my ability to provide a holistic and immersive creative experience. I don’t just offer makeup services; I create an environment that brings comfort and relaxation, allowing clients to open up and achieve amazing photos. I consult, style, and produce artwork from their photos, ensuring they are happy with both the process and the final product.

I’m most proud of the way I’ve been able to combine my skills to offer something unique and personal to my clients. I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is driven by a passion for creativity and a commitment to celebrating individuality. Whether through makeup, photography, or visual art, my goal is to empower and inspire those I work with, creating lasting memories and impactful art.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During the two-year process of illustrating the book *Dr. E’s Tips & Tricks Electrocardiogram 1st Edition*, I encountered significant challenges that tested my resilience. I faced financial hardships, falling behind on rent, and experiencing slow business. Tragically, I also lost my cousin, who was one of my best friends and like a sister. This project, which operated on an advance-plus-royalties agreement, became a critical priority for me, as completing it promised much-needed consistent income.

Despite life’s difficulties, I pushed forward. I had to lean on friends and family for financial support, which I am eternally grateful for, and I even had to cut costs by letting go of essential business services, like my expensive business phone lines and go with a pre-paid service. Just as the book was about to go to print, my health took an unexpected turn for the worse. I suffer from narcolepsy, and the stress of everything I was dealing with exacerbated my symptoms to a degree I had never experienced before.

Yet, I persevered. Once book sales started coming in, I began to recover, both financially and physically. This experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges—it’s about continuing to move forward, even when the road is tough.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist and creative entrepreneur is that my work truly feels like play. I love taking an idea from the invisible realm of imagination and bringing it into reality, creating something tangible that can be seen and touched. But what I find most fulfilling is helping others realize their dreams and visions. There’s nothing quite like seeing the joy in a client’s eyes when their imagined vision becomes a reality. That moment is the most rewarding aspect of what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Purpl3skyy.redbubble.com
• Instagram: @Purpl3skyy
• Youtube: @Purpl3skyy147
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/E1xpJ8pytZC9rv3NA
• Other: Email: [email protected]
  Medsurge workbook Dr. E’s Tips & Tricks Electrocardiogram 1st Edition can be found at: Nemuse8.com

Image Credits

Photo-op provided courtesy of KDHR online radio show with DJ Allesa Tha Goddes…