We recently connected with LeAnna Wurzer and have shared our conversation below.
LeAnna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
A few years ago, I created a painting called “One Piece At a Time,” (18”x24” oil on canvas), which created quite a buzz within military groups on social media. It depicts a U.S. Marine sergeant in his dress blues, putting missing pieces of himself back together as though confined within a puzzle. The painting was created in support of military combat-related PTSD awareness, an issue that is very near and dear to my heart.
A photo of the painting was posted online with the following caption with hopes of describing to the viewers the intent of the artwork:
“The war is never over. This is something I never had to consider, but it is true for so many servicemen and women who suffer from combat-related PTSD.
The war is an internal storm. A fight to hold on to the person they once knew as themself while fending off the demons brought on by the moral atrocities endured in battle. PTSD is not a disease, it is damage to the soul that never heals.
It has been described to me that life after combat is like a seemingly endless puzzle. Every day is spent searching routinely for the missing pieces that were lost at war.
Some are pieces of the edge, the border, the foundation of their whole being; a persons heart, soul and values.
Other pieces may not seem as integral as the foundation but remain just as important to complete the puzzle, the whole image of them as a human being, such as the abilities to feel emotions and control reactions.
EVERY piece is important, though not always easy to find.
It is important, however, to recognize that to seek help in putting the puzzle back together is nothing to be ashamed of. It is not a sign of weakness, but a major leap of strength. It is another puzzle piece…possibly one of the easiest and yet most difficult to find. You tap it in place and keep moving forward, one piece at a time.”
I received messages upon messages from veterans and families and friends of combat veterans alike after creating this piece. I’ve made friends across the world and shipped prints to places I’ve never even heard of. This painting represents more than many people can even comprehend, and to those it means the most often suffer in silence.
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?
My name is LeAnna Wurzer, and I am an American visual artist. As an oil painter, muralist, illustrator and professional street painter, I have managed to attract clients and collectors worldwide, all on a self-taught basis.
I hold an intense passion for the artwork I create. My work is fueled by the vibrancy of color, the magic of light, and the pliancy and fluidity of natural elements.
Aside from original artwork, I also offer commissioned services for paintings and murals. A well-done piece of custom art offers a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to engage with customers, clients, friends and family in a memorable way!
Whether it’s a high-visibility entrance display, a workspace mural to bring an office to life, or enhancing your own personal spaces like theatre rooms, nurseries or even man caves, there isn’t much I can’t do.
I’ve presented happy customers with traditional canvas artworks from as small as 3″x3″ to mural sections as large as 15’x20.’
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
This might sound like an odd response, because it’s a book that literally has nothing to do with painting, or art in general. However, it is a book that has the ability to alter the life of anyone who has made the decision to make a positive change, and no matter where one is in their entrepreneurial journey and life in general, there is ALWAYS room for positive shifts.
“Can’t Hurt Me,” By David Goggins, a retired United States Navy SEAL, will give you the tools to help shift your mindset towards achieving the nearly impossible…but the catch is, you have to put in the work.
Goggins demonstrates that no matter what your life’s story is, you can take control of it and use it as your best ally by learning to embrace suffering, welcoming failure, setting the bar higher, and transforming through it all. One never gets anywhere with complacency…but when you intentionally and consistently make uncomfortable choices, you begin to callous your mind and learn to conquer demons and a commonplace mentality.
This isn’t a book motivation, because motivation doesn’t last. This is a book about obsession. Obsession gets you through every obstacle along the way to your goal and then some, until you become someone you never thought you could be…until you’re the best possible version of yourself.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being able to make a living while doing what I love is the easy, quick, and probably most common answer to this question. But to get specific, I just really like to make people cry.
It’s not masochism by any means when the tears I induce from people are fueled by light, emotion, memories and humor after interpreting my subjects onto canvas. Or walls, or road…or whatever surface happens to be the backdrop of whatever project I’m currently working on.
Tears and emotions mean that my work means something to at least one person besides myself, and that’s all that matters. I fully believe that being able to create things the way that I do was a gift that was meant for sharing. When I create, I get to do what I love, but when other people love what I do, it’s consistent validation that I’m in the right place!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lkwurzerfineart.com
- Instagram: @leannakart
- Facebook: @leannakart