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

Alright, LeAndra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is the collaborative public art project with Urban Green Labs, where I created a large-scale food waste mural. This mural was part of a broader initiative to raise awareness about sustainability and environmental responsibility, and it really resonated with my personal values around reducing waste and fostering community consciousness.

The mural itself was not just about the art, but about the message behind it—encouraging people to think about how small changes in their daily lives could have a positive impact on the environment. It was a deeply collaborative process, involving local schools and community organizations. It was incredibly rewarding to see people from different walks of life connect with the artwork and the message.

For me, this project was meaningful not only because it showcased the power of art as a tool for education and activism, but also because it aligned with my own practices of sustainability, like reusing materials in my personal and professional life. Being able to use my creative voice to drive conversations about important issues like food waste made it a very fulfilling project for me.

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.

My name is LeAndra Crystal, and I am a multidisciplinary artist, Therapeutic Art Life Coach, President of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Art League and advocate for mental health and community-centered art. My journey into the arts began early, but it was shaped profoundly by the mentorship of powerful women like Alicia Henry, Peach McComb, and Elisheba Mrozik. Each of these incredible women has deepened my understanding of art as a tool for healing, expression, and transformation. Their influence has driven me to combine my passion for large-scale public art with my commitment to using art to foster personal and collective well-being.

I provide a wide range of creative services, from mural installations to therapeutic art coaching for individuals, groups, and teams. One of the projects closest to my heart is the Women’s History Mural, which I created in collaboration with Creative Girls Rock for Women’s History Month. This mural was a tribute to the most important women in our lives, a celebration of their strength and impact. As someone who loves creating work that uplifts women, this project was particularly meaningful for me. I wanted to create a space where community members could reflect on and honor the legacies of the women who have shaped them. Seeing those stories come alive through the mural was incredibly rewarding, and it reinforced my passion for using art to elevate the voices and stories of women.

As a Therapeutic Art Life Coach, I help individuals, groups, and teams tap into their creativity as a means of emotional release and personal growth. Whether I’m working one-on-one or with a larger group, my focus is always on creating a safe space for people to express themselves and find healing through the artistic process. This approach has been especially impactful in my public events, like the ‘Vibe & Release’ experience, which is part of the North Nashville Arts Coalition’s Culture Crawl. This collaborative paint-throwing event helps disrupt the stigma surrounding mental health in communities of color, allowing participants to release emotions and heal through spontaneous, creative expression. It’s a joyful and freeing experience that brings people together in powerful ways.

In addition to my therapeutic and public art work, I also offer original artwork, commissions, prints, and products such as stickers, pins, and travel bags. These products allow me to share my art in ways that connect with people on a personal level, bringing the vibrant and dynamic spirit of my larger works into everyday life.

What sets me apart is my deep commitment to using art as a tool for connection, healing, and empowerment. Whether it’s through a mural that celebrates community identity or a coaching session that helps someone unlock their creative potential, my work is always about making art a catalyst for positive change. I want my clients, followers, and fans to know that my art is more than just visual—it’s a bridge to emotional wellness, cultural understanding, and personal transformation.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea of the ‘starving artist’—the belief that artists are destined to struggle financially and only gain recognition or make money after they’ve passed away. When I changed my major to Art in college, my parents were understandably concerned. They were raised with the mindset that artists must be poor and that pursuing a creative career wouldn’t lead to financial stability. That narrative carried through even after I graduated—my partner at the time didn’t truly understand or value the time and effort it took to create art. I remember working on a charcoal portrait commission, and although he watched me complete it from start to finish, the attitude was still, ‘This is great, but how will you make any real money from it?’

It took years, but I eventually learned that this isn’t the way things have to be. The idea that artists must undervalue themselves or their work is outdated. There are so many resources out there, like grants specifically designed to help artists thrive, and organizations that are willing to pay more than a fair wage. It took a major shift in mindset to realize that being an artist doesn’t mean you have to struggle financially—you just have to know where to look for opportunities and be willing to take action to position yourself for success.

Now, I’ve built a career where I’m able to make a meaningful income from my work, whether it’s through public art commissions, therapeutic art coaching, teaching or offering prints and products. The most important thing I’ve learned is that there are people and organizations out there who deeply appreciate the work we do as artists, and they’re willing to pay us what we’re worth. It took time, but embracing this new mindset has been one of the most empowering changes in my career.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

If there’s one thing I wish I had known more about earlier in my creative journey, it’s the availability and importance of artistic grants, internships, and residencies. While I was aware that internships existed, I didn’t fully grasp just how beneficial they could have been for my growth as an artist. Internships not only provide hands-on experience but also offer invaluable networking opportunities and insights into how the art world functions from a business perspective. In hindsight, I realize that those early opportunities could have given me a head start in building connections and understanding how to navigate the industry.

Artistic grants are another resource I wish I had been more aware of. Grants are specifically designed to support artists, allowing us to fund our projects, create without financial burden, and focus on developing our craft. Today, I make it a point to seek out these opportunities, and they’ve been instrumental in helping me grow my practice and take on larger projects. Residencies, too, offer an amazing way to immerse yourself in your art while being surrounded by other creatives. They create space for experimentation and collaboration, which is so important for artistic growth.

I often think about how much earlier I could have tapped into these resources had I known more about them or understood their true value. Now that I do, I encourage other artists to seek out grants, internships, and residencies early in their careers because these opportunities can open doors you might not even know existed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.663mainfa.com
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