Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heaven-Leigh Pettis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Heaven-Leigh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My most meaningful project has yet to be released! I have been working on an EP called “Greenstone” about my experiences the first time I moved out of my parent’s home. I was 20 and it was my first time being semi-independent. I lived 7 minutes away but the lack of parental supervision made all the difference. The year I moved away consisted of substance abuse, partying, arguments between friends, death, and ending relationships. I was broken down and remolded over and over again during this time, learning how to better communicate as an adult, and standing more confidently in myself and my boundaries. I believe I’ve been able to heal through this music project and releasing it will be even more of a milestone for me because sharing art is so brave. Many of the songs on the project are very vulnerable for me so to release it to the world would be a huge step from where I’ve come.

Heaven-Leigh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When it comes to art, I’ve been drawing ever since I could remember. I started with anime characters and eventually moved on to developing my art style. I accept commissions, DJ, modeling, and performance bookings. I took a leap of faith once I had the money and bought prints of my work to sell at festivals and parties in the DFW area. I owe much of my success to my parents for believing in me and taking risks. I recently participated in an Art Walk where I applied in a raffle, got selected among 24 other artists, and was able to display a piece to over 2,300 people. Putting yourself out there regardless of fear goes a long way. You never know who’s watching or who you may meet with any outing. My music journey has been similar in that sense. I was fortunate enough to meet creatives willing to give me a shot. With the help of my village, I have been able to dip my toes into all different forms of expression and I am grateful for the opportunities coming my way. I am very proud of my artistic growth and hope to try more art mediums with time.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Non-creatives and even creatives struggle with how much time may pass before a piece is finished. I have had family members nag me constantly about art pieces they want from me with little information on what they want the piece to be or when they want it done by. This can be frustrating because it takes me a while to conceptualize what I want to paint or draw. On top of that, I may have ADHD and I wouldn’t be surprised if many other artists were on the spectrum as well, experiencing the same frustrations. Give artists some patience and grace! I know not all artists can get away with being late but if you find a little extra grace in your heart, give it. You never know what people are dealing with on their own.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to bring a sense of comfort with my art and relatability. I want people to view it and feel hugged or think, “I’ve felt this way, too.” Even with so much access to technology, it is hard for people to connect genuinely, so I hope my pieces can bring more ease. I want BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ community to feel represented. I want children to be able to look at me and know that they can achieve their wildest dreams. I want to make my family proud, but most importantly I want to make myself proud. Being an artist has been my wildest dream since I can remember and I am working to achieve it every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pettisheavenleigh.wixsite.com/heavenleigh/portfolio-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfromab0ve/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heaven-leigh-pettis-9803b5211/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd3yOUrlG0cYYNSQ4Dkzi3Q
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/fnl0ser

Image Credits

India Janay