Leandra Berrios: Meet the Artist
Hello, my name is Leandra I also go by Lace for when I make art. Others know me for being a painter and some will know me for my digitals. In what I do will always be purposeful. A lot of who I am is based off of tackling pieces I’ve never done, but will make it work no matter what. Till this day I stand as a mindful artist and will fulfill every moment of it.
Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?
A: It was around the time of the protests, when they needed people to put art for the boarded up broken windows. Someone reached out to me so that I can spread a peaceful message through my work.
Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?
A: I’m mostly commissioned based, but when I’m free to create I go for stimulating colors to subconsciously grasp your attention. The message is to find your truth. Discovering yourself through feeling and emotion.
After Dark 2020
Q: Run us through your creative process - How do you start, flow and finish?
A: I take some time beforehand to figure out how I will get through to making a piece. If it’s a painting, I’ll sketch it out in my iPad and get familiar with the outlines. Then sketch the outline on the canvas, and typically I just find my way little by little. Making small adjustments starting from the easiest details to the hardest.
Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face through your creative process
A: Most of my challenges are centered around new techniques. As far as portraits go, that’s probably my toughest. I’m always looking to better myself through my work and in the process of doing so, I’ll end up thinking about it for too long and it will mess with my confidence for completing the piece successfully.
Q: Can you share a little more about how your art career started. Have you always been in your field? Were you self taught or had additional schooling?
A: Since I can remember I was always the child to doodle everywhere in my sketch journals. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I picked up a paint brush and just went for it.
Q: Who/what are your biggest inspirations that play a key role in the work you produce?
A: I am my biggest inspiration. Knowing how far I’ve got with as little information in the art field is already inspiring in itself. There’s so much more out there and I am ready for it all.
WIndows GR 2020
Q: Is there anything you wish you could change about your work?
A: I wouldn’t change anything about my work. Only to get better every time.
Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them? What are you trying to get better at?
A: Mistakes are a part of my everyday life. Communicating is a big one. Whether it’s with clients or personal relationships, talking things through is key so no one is confused.
Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?
A: I feel that I am supported in my community.
Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself
A: My recent commission is my proudest moment yet. Typically I get a little hesitant with children pieces, but not this one. I went for it and now I’m proud of what I see on that canvas.
Open Windows 2020 at Rosa Parks Circle
Q: What's most important to you about what you create, and how it impacts others?
A: What’s important to me about what I create is that I see growth. As an artist and for self, what I’ve conquered seeps into the pieces. With every creation, I see myself becoming more… more in love, more proud, more gracious.
Q: What's next? What are you currently focusing on or looking forward to?
A: I’m looking to make tangible work. Clothing, home furniture, anything you can hold or have. Murals, and community projects, are also what I’m looking forward to as well. I’m here for it all. So far I’m doing commissions, but I’m always open for something creatively different.
Q: What does being an artist mean to you? What is the function of artists in society?
A: An artist to me is someone who spreads a message. Very subtle messages or even abrasive ones, but the point is to have creative expression. To make people engaged in topics that wouldn’t normally be talked about in certain spaces.
Q: And of course, if you could chose any vehicle to travel, real or imaginary what would it be?
A: I would travel in a cushioned bubble that’s well secured with an outer layer that makes me invisible and I can just float around anywhere I want.
Follow more of Leandra’s work on www.instagram.com/art.by.lace/
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