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

Hi Leona, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned the land of mixed media art by wasting household items to make pieces until I was able to work and buy my own art supplies. Soon after my interest in mixed media peaked near the end of high school, following that I used my arts courses in undergrad to enrich my approach to mixed media art. One thing that might have benefited my experience could have been starting to learn to sculpt sooner. Though it is a small setback being an amateur, I value the time I spend learning to manipulate the traditional means of sculpting and creating 3D pieces.

Being able to see with the naked eye what goes well together while keeping things cohesive, is definitely important. It’s not something that can be taught, but it is something that can be practiced. Having a good eye does not just mean with sight. It means knowing what to do with your hands, at no second thought. You learn that by sitting with yourself and the work, by repetition and will. While this skill has come smoothly, fear and laziness are common obstacles that often find their way in front of me. I would say socioeconomic adversities, as well. Would I have learned more in a place farther away from Louisville? In a place that’s “better” than home? I wonder this a lot when I’m working on pieces that are above my skill level.

Not everyone gets the privilege to be tethered to their passions the way artists do, which is why I am grateful to be one. I am grateful to be a lifelong student of the craft.

Leona, 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?

My name is Leona Love I am a Black Queer artist from Louisville, KY. I have been practicing mixed media art sporadically for about 8 years. I got into the arts industry mostly with the help of mentors, where I am today is largely due to their belief in me. Three years ago, I decided to venture into freelance work seriously, when I saw genuine interest in my art. There was potential and I could lose nothing from simply trying.

Exhibitions that have shown my work include the Celebration of the Black Experience at the KCAAH, Interpreting the Stars at the 1512 Portland Gallery, and the Natural Distortions exhibition at the Petty & Fish Gallery in Madison, Indiana. Several shows and pieces sold later, I can say I have succeeded in that effort. Though I am pleased with what I have accomplished at this stage of life, there are many mountains to climb.

Most recently, I launched my own line of tote bags and stationary products called TVstrology. Which pairs together your favorite TV shows and your big three astrology signs. This being a success was an honest shock that brought me a new sense of pride. Jumping mediums yet again, is something I’m extremely proud of, and hope to keep doing as I grow in my artistry.

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

Practice makes perfect, but to get there you must practice perfect.

This was a lesson I learned in the time I spent as a martial artist. It is a lesson I still have to release, because at the end of the day everything will not be perfect all of the time. It’s a good message to stay disciplined I believe, but not always the best for allowing yourself to freely express and grow.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I am not completely educated on them, but I believe that NFT’s and the increased involvement of AI with art will result in traditional art being devalued. I do think, that there will be a turn around in which there is an inflated value on art made traditionally, at some point in the future. At least this is a reality I hope for the artists of the future.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @you.craftybitch @tvstrology

Image Credits

Moments of Excellence Photography, shot by William Simpson