We were lucky to catch up with Bambi Leigh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bambi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

There were a great many details along the way that shaped me to be the fine artist I am today. Life’s a journey and thank goodness, that’s the best part! Although I attended The Art Institute for Interior Design as well as for Fashion Design, I still often wondered if the thought of an artful career was truly possible. The term “starving artist” was very much alive within the vocabulary of people that surrounded me while attending college. Thankfully, I had a set of parents that believed it was possible. They were firm believers in using God-given talents rather than letting them go to waste to just do what someone else thinks you should do. In 2007, I was fortunate enough to be hired for a customer service position at the Kravet/Lee Jofa showroom within the Decorative Center of Houston. This was epic for me because it blended my love for interior design as well as my passion for textiles! I was amazed that such a place existed! The Decorative Center of Houston is basically a mall specifically for interior designers and trade partners. The Kravet/Lee Jofa showroom was and still is front and center on the 1st floor. I was finally among “my people” and could not wait to learn more! I was able to spend 5 years there and was eventually promoted to sales where I had the pleasure of working with clients to customize furniture as well. Kravet/Lee Jofa remains one of the largest fabric houses in the world and is called home to many licensees such as Kelly Wearstler (my personal fav.), Barbara Barry and offers brands such as Donghia, GP & J Baker, Brunschwig & Fils, and more. I will never forget when I was promoted to a sales position. I was sent to visit the factories in North Carolina to meet artisans in person to see exactly how greatly each USA piece of furniture was made … by hand. I was even able to walk through the room of textile designers who were busy designing the next offerings of fabric for the woven portion of the factory. Then my jaw dropped. I was able to stand there and witness, in person, how each fabric was woven. I witnessed the looms and understood how it would take an entire day just to thread the 2600 needles needed to even begin weaving a fabric such as this. I knew then how important it was for an artist to know the value of their craft in order to even begin selling it. That one weekend was one of many great memories from a 5 year period in my life with Kravet. That 5 year period was the beginning of my career in design and creating art…… They are still among my most cherished colleagues and friends. Working at Kravet showed me that it was possible to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally! They showed me that this entire operation was created and operated by individuals… such as myself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am excited to say I have an extensive history with luxury art and design within Houston. I have worked in the background of the art and interiors design industry for 16 years! I made it a point to learn every aspect I could about the business so that I would be confident to run my own company when I felt it was time. I began by working at the Kravet/Lee Jofa showroom in Houston and gained endless knowledge about textiles, furniture, lighting, rugs, and any other item that could be offered to an interior design professional. This really helped me realize my love of color, textiles, and fabrics even more. While there, I worked for an interior designer on at night and on weekends to provide her with hand-drawn sketches of custom draperies that she would offered her clients a visual of her designs. My daughter was 9 months old at the time and I was in an entry level position, so extra diaper money was a must! After a couple of years, I went back to The Art Institute full time, while still working full time. I was at the point of classes no longer being offered on nights and weekends so after 5 years, I had to leave Kravet/Lee Jofa and work for a designer that offered a day off during the week to continue going for my degree.  we would brainstorm about custom concepts, sketch them out, requested workroom quotes, provide client quotes, expedite all orders, follow up to receive orders, attend the installations, and handle accounting. After being comfortable with that for a couple of years, I added to my offerings, hard surface window treatments; shutters and blinds.  This was a very demanding and competitive market in an entirely different way. My iPad was handy for a spreadsheet and signature at all times! I eventually found myself working at Alyson Jon Interiors. This place felt like home and I happily fit right into the family. I was in charge of custom orders for their Houston, Austin, and Beaumont locations. Of course, I was ecstatic to manage the “design room”, helping clients find the perfect fabric for any piece of furniture, and was the in-house drapery consultant. I then became showroom manager for a design firm back in The Decorative Center where it all began! I then worked for a custom rug company and was able to work on fun and luxurious projects such as a custom rug hand-woven from a client’s own alpaca! Not to mention, the lobby rug at The Post Oak Hotel! There seems to have been many moves but I find that I know (or know of) almost every gear of the industry and still love it so. What remains true through all of this, is my love for color, textiles, design,  and art. With my creative works, I am so excited to provide all of this. Offering custom artwork is not for the faint of heart and neither was any of the background areas that I mentioned. I am stubbornly determined and have just the right amount of grit to stick around for the long run in this art and design industry. I continue to look outside of the box to create the perfect piece of art for a client.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I would like to imagine a world which placed more value on creative individuals. Too many times, I’ve witnessed an artist give their talent away just because someone didn’t understand the value. Artists, whether formally trained or self-taught, spend countless amount of hours learning, understanding, and honing their craft. I shouldn’t even mention the amount of money spent on supplies while doing so. Yet, so many “non-creative” people don’t see the value of this enough to offer money for an artistic expression they actually need. Much of society, with no shame, will ask a creative person to pour their heart into something they need….for free. I think society would be doing great to support artists by placing value on a piece they like in the same way they place value on what they buy at the grocery store. The clerk at the grocery store isn’t going to bargain so the artist working at the top of their craft shouldn’t do so either.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bambileigh.com
• Instagram: @bambileigh.art
• Facebook: @bambileigh.art
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Mia Rosales