I'm Leah and I'm an illustrator, textile, and surface pattern designer. I
sell my work online and internationally in boutiques as well as work
with companies to create goods using my work. I live in Austin, TX with
my husband, our pit-mix Oslo, and our two cats. I love sunny weather,
cowboy boots, topo chico, and chocolate.
How + when did you first become interested in becoming a maker?
I feel like I was always a maker. I was cutting things up to make new things out of them ever since I can remember. Sometimes it got me in big trouble, sometimes it gave me something to be proud of. Either way I was getting somewhere.
I feel like I was always a maker. I was cutting things up to make new things out of them ever since I can remember. Sometimes it got me in big trouble, sometimes it gave me something to be proud of. Either way I was getting somewhere.
Do you have a strategy for starting a project? Any rituals?
I find the less organized and planned out my process is the better it turns out because it feels more organic and free. If I think about it too much I'll start to panic!
What was your first "breakthrough" gig?
I've been very lucky to work with a lot of great companies early in my career. They started to come about at very similar times, so it would be hard to name just one. I can say my "breakthrough" press was an article in Daily Candy Dallas back in 2009. After stuttering by with only a few etsy sales for months, I all of the sudden had hundreds of orders to fill within a few days. I was so incredibly thrilled and happy to see that people could connect to my work.
What has been your favorite project to work on?
Most recently my first fabric collection, Maya, to be released by Anthology fabrics in February. It's been a dream of mine to have a fabric collection produced for some time now.
I've been very lucky to work with a lot of great companies early in my career. They started to come about at very similar times, so it would be hard to name just one. I can say my "breakthrough" press was an article in Daily Candy Dallas back in 2009. After stuttering by with only a few etsy sales for months, I all of the sudden had hundreds of orders to fill within a few days. I was so incredibly thrilled and happy to see that people could connect to my work.
What has been your favorite project to work on?
Most recently my first fabric collection, Maya, to be released by Anthology fabrics in February. It's been a dream of mine to have a fabric collection produced for some time now.
What has been your silliest mistake in business thus far?
My husband would tell you I'm far too nice. This has gotten me into many situations I didn't want to be in. If you're going to run a business you have to make tough decisions, be assertive, say no when it doesn't work for you, and think with a business mind. This definitely isn't my natural state, but I've learned quickly from my mistakes and I'm getting to a better place everyday.
What is a project you hope + dream of working on in the future?
I'd love to illustrate an album cover for Arcade Fire.
My husband would tell you I'm far too nice. This has gotten me into many situations I didn't want to be in. If you're going to run a business you have to make tough decisions, be assertive, say no when it doesn't work for you, and think with a business mind. This definitely isn't my natural state, but I've learned quickly from my mistakes and I'm getting to a better place everyday.
What is a project you hope + dream of working on in the future?
I'd love to illustrate an album cover for Arcade Fire.
What is inspiring about where you live?
Austin is a unique city with a very quirky vibe. I live in East Austin which has brightly colored buildings, piñatas, and great mexican food. There are certainly traces of that vibrancy in my work.
Austin is a unique city with a very quirky vibe. I live in East Austin which has brightly colored buildings, piñatas, and great mexican food. There are certainly traces of that vibrancy in my work.
Who fuels your fire - who do you count on for moral support?
My husband has been my biggest supporter and has certainly been my comfort, my cheerleader, and my best friend on this journey.
My husband has been my biggest supporter and has certainly been my comfort, my cheerleader, and my best friend on this journey.
Which type of music would you choose to artistically represent yourself + your style?
Strong female singer-songwriters and Arcade Fire.
What are your plans for your business in the coming months?
In the coming months I should begin work on several new Spring items and begin work on a second fabric line. We're headed into the holiday season though, so it may look more like, sew, cut, print, package, repeat. : )
Strong female singer-songwriters and Arcade Fire.
What are your plans for your business in the coming months?
In the coming months I should begin work on several new Spring items and begin work on a second fabric line. We're headed into the holiday season though, so it may look more like, sew, cut, print, package, repeat. : )
I first came across Leah's work at a Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago and have been in love ever since. She has a truly unique illustrative style and "color magic" in her work. Thanks Leah for taking the time to write about your work!
