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

Alright, Leigha 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?

Every time I work an event illustrating custom portraits, live and for the guests to take home, it is a meaningful experience. Particularly illustrating at weddings because, to me, our wedding day is one of the most important days of our lives, so being able to capture that moment in time for guests to commemorate the day for years to come, it is incredibly special and makes me feel like this is the best job on the planet.

Leigha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Fashion illustrator with a background in the Bridal industry. It is such a niche market that I found myself in, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

From the time I was a little kid (around 4 years old), I remember having an intense passion surrounding art. Christmas presents, birthday presents – I only ever wanted art supplies like sketchbooks and new markers. My downtime was always spent at my desk drawing new things and trying to learn what makes a good artist.

I didn’t think art could be a career – or at least a financially stable one. So with the guidance of my parents, I decided to go into Fashion Design because I could potentially work for a corporation as a buyer, designer, or marketer, while still holding onto my artistic passion. I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated with my degree in Fashion Design.

Upon graduation, I found myself a job doing alterations in a bridal boutique. It turned out my sewing skills separated me from the masses of new graduates. I worked in alterations for years to come, eventually moving up to alterations manager.

All during this time, my hobby was still drawing. All of my downtime was still spent creating new fashion designs – bridal gowns and anything that came to my mind. Being surrounded by brides, I constantly heard of the new and fun vendors they are hiring for their wedding. I immediately thought of becoming a vendor myself and drawing live for guests to take home in lieu of favors. Since then it has always been a dream, it just needed a lot of nurturing and confidence to bring me to the position I am in today.

I am proud to say that all of my years of drawing for fun prepared me to be confident enough in my ability to draw fast and in front of guests at events.

The thing that separates me from others is the deep rooted passion that I have had since I am a little girl. You can hear me on film during events exclaiming “I can’t believe this is my job!” because younger me would never believe that we would be here, making a living on our favorite hobby and pastime.

What I would like to tell potential clients, followers and fans is: if you ever choose to hire me for any illustration service I offer (live illustration, commission, etc.), you’re hiring someone who cares more deeply than I’ll ever be able to express in an article or post. When you hire me you are also hiring the little girl who never stopped loving the process of creating art, and who never stopped dreaming about the day I could meaningfully impact others with my art.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main mission is to utilize my art in a way that can document the most important moments of people’s lives. Knowing that my art can be hung on someone’s wall for years to come, illustrating a day that was so important to them in a way that can bring those memories back to life – that is what this is about.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There was a time where I had to reflect and decide if I had it in me to venture off on my own and begin my own business. It’s always scary taking the leap from being a full time employee with a guaranteed salary to being solo with all of the pressure solely relying on me. The thing I learned is when you are as passionate about something as I am about art, it all comes naturally and it is more exciting than you can ever imagine. It may sound cliche, but this doesn’t feel like work to me!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.illustratedbyleigha,squarespace.com
• Instagram: illustratedbyleigha
• Youtube: IllustratedbyLeigha

Image Credits

Jessica Brooke