We were lucky to catch up with Bronwyn LeAnne recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bronwyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

To be truly honest, the only time I have been happy when it comes to work is when I have been an artist or creative. I always knew from the time I was a little girl that I wanted to do something creative. I started painting at a young age and was always so in love with all things art. As I got older I got into makeup and worked as a makeup artist for many years and then it all led me back to creating art again. No matter what is happening in the world around me or in my personal life, when I pick up a paint brush and it touches the canvas I am flooded with endorphins. I forget the world around me and my entire body is relaxed and calm. It truly is such an amazing feeling. When I am done with a project I am even happier because I can step back and see what I have created. The ultimate happiness though is when someone else sees my work and likes it or purchases it. That is the ultimate win for me. When I paint I always leave a part of me in my work so it is like I am sharing myself with others. When it comes to having a regular job, I think as an artist you always need to have a solid income in the beginning until you are making enough as a creative to sustain your lifestyle. I am going to school and majoring in Art History, that way my “regular job” will also be in art. I can use my degree to teach or work in art galleries or museums. I can even be an art journalist. I guess it isn’t really a regular job after all but close. I think having both is important because my regular job can help fund my business as an artist but if I was able to make enough as an artist alone that would be the only thing I would do for the rest of my life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

A little about myself and my art… I grew up in the South and growing up there was beautiful in so many ways but also very hard for someone who never felt like they fit in. I was always outside of the box and different. I was always really into makeup and art from the time I was very little. My older brother was an incredible makeup artist and he painted as well. My mom also painted a lot so I was surrounded by a very artistic family. I was bullied a lot in middle school and I used art as a way to escape. I would draw a lot when I was feeling sad and it really helped me. It was almost like therapy for me in many ways. As I got older I started working as a makeup artist and during this time I started painting. I started off with canvases but then I started finding old broken table tops in alleyways by my home and created paintings on them. There was something beautiful about taking something broken and making it art. I did not have any plans to sell my art at the time, I was simply doing it because I loved it. I started participating in local art shows in San Diego and I really enjoyed it so much. The feedback I got on my work really opened my eyes to it becoming something I could do as a living. I have since sold a few paintings and even worked on commissions. I put myself into my work so if anyone buys a piece from me, you are buying a part of my soul. I offer a few different types of art. I mostly work with mixed media on canvas or wood but I have also started branching out into watercolor and even some sculptures. I even offer painting walls in your home or murals. When it comes to my clients, their happiness and vision come first. I love to meet with my clients to find out exactly what they are thinking and then I put together a vision board and we work together to get the exact art they want. When it comes to setting myself apart from others, I don’t really try to do that as an artist. I feel as an artist I am simply 100% who I am and there is no one else like me so I try not to even focus on that.

I am most proud of overcoming all the hurdles I have had to face as an artist and that I am still moving forward all the time. I have had to take a step back from art many times in my life due to family, having children, school, work, and even health issues over the past three years. Even though I have had to do this, I always, always, ALWAYS come back to my art. Nothing can and ever will stop me from doing what I love and sharing it with the world.

I want everyone reading this to know that I am full of love and passion when it comes to art and my clients. I have a huge heart, am very unique, wear all black all the time haha, love Halloween and horror films, animal rights all day every day, crazy, and completely out of the box. I am someone who puts 100% into everything I do so I assure you that if you purchase art from me or decide to work with me you will get 100% of me and your satisfaction is priority number one.

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

Yes! I have always had goals or missions that drove my creative journey but over the years they have changed and will most likely continue to change. I tend to have multiple goals, some big and some small. I try to set goals for myself when it comes to being an artist. I set short-term goals and long term. My main goal is to be successful enough for this to be my main source of income and living. I would love to make a living wage off of my art and not need to work second jobs or a normal nine-to-five.

My mission as an artist is to simply reach as many people as I can with my art and be someone that leaves an impression. My favorite artist of all time is Lee Krassner and she is a huge reason why I do what I do and keep pushing to achieve my goals. I want to touch lives through my art.

I have already reached my short-term goals which were to create a website, sell work in an art gallery and participate in local art shows. My long-term goal is to open my own studio or gallery where I can showcase my work and other local artists from San Diego. I would also like one side of the gallery to be an open space for creatives of all areas to come work. Be it artists, dancers, or tattoo artists, you name it. I would also like a little vegan cafe in it as well. That is my ultimate goal and one I really hope to achieve one day.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is actually very simple. There are so many ways society can support artists and creatives but the main one is, to purchase the work! Like their posts on social media, attend the markets and shows, and spread the word on social media for the artist even if you are not buying the work, someone else may see it and purchase it. I also feel like community is super important when it comes to art. Linking up with local businesses to feature your work, put on a show, or even offer to help paint in their store. It not only helps you as an artist but it also helps them as well. A strong local community can make all the difference.

I have made some amazing relationships in so many areas of San Diego that I never thought possible. From Oceanside, North Park, Chicano Park, and so much more. These relationships in the art community are everything. The more we all support each other the more we thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bronwynleanne.com
• Instagram: @bronwynleanneart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynleanne

Image Credits
Jason Kruml Forest Harrison