Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Leckie.
Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I can remember I have been a creative person. I naturally gravitated toward expressing myself creatively. I was raised by my mother who nurtured this creative spark and my father who was a successful businessman who seemed to have such a talent for exceeding sales goals and climbing to the top of his company. Inherently, growing up in this world allowed me to absorb inspiration from the two of them. Academically, I pursued my undergraduate degree in Theater from The University of Georgia with the intent of working in the entertainment industry. I have always enjoyed acting, writing, creating visual art, and eventually performing musically. I was in a band for three years writing and performing my own music in the Southeastern United States. Truly, creativity runs through every thread of my life.
Upon graduation, I began working as a Professional Artist quite by accident. When I began promoting my art on social media and learning about marketing principles and the basics of business acumen, I saw my exposure and income dramatically increase. I decided to make my art a legal business in 2019, and I have been consistently growing my business and learning all I can about creative entrepreneurship.
Creativity is the driver of innovation within the business. I believe that the analytic and creative minds are more powerful together in their ability to make a difference in the Global Economy than either of them separately. Because of my passion for both creativity and business, I decided to pursue an MBA degree in 2022. I will be attending the College of Charleston this fall to become as strong of an asset to the creative community as I can be. I know so many creative people who have the talent, the ideas, and the products but aren’t quite sure what steps they should take to professionally pursue their creative dreams, and I would like to be able to help others with that.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In my pursuit of professional freedom and my dedication to being a successful freelancing artist, I have noticed that there are so many professionals hurtles creative entrepreneurs must jump over to see themselves turn a profit from their crafts or businesses. Many creatives lack the business acumen needed to understand specific business accounting, marketing, overhead, inventory demands, etc. There are so many nuances to business like networking, fund-raising, and product distribution, just to name a few, that it seems like a large feat to many creatives wanting to be able to sustain themselves on their creative ventures alone.
Personally, I had to teach myself everything I could about running a small business as a single individual. It took a lot of trial and error, but my business kept growing year after year. It’s challenging, in general, being a small business owner. There is always something that requires a unique solution or thinking out of the box. However, I really appreciate the challenges because it is how I grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My business is centered around personalized design, illustration, and fine art services for clients and businesses. As well as selling my own artwork at markets, online, and in stores. I take on projects such as landscape painting, portraits, and digital illustration for print, and graphic design. I would describe my art as a mixture of contemporary pop art and surrealism. I layer imagery, themes, and textures. Many of my works contain playful elements that are enmeshed in the story of the piece. Within my personal work, I intend for the messaging of my art to be raw and visceral. My appreciation of the beauty within the natural world juxtaposed next to the contrary existence of ugliness portrays the Yin and Yang duality of my experience as an artist.
In the future, I hope to expand by merchandizing my own products and expanding the reach of my art as well as the scale of projects and clients I take on. With my business education, I want to help other creative entrepreneurs successfully start their own ventures. I would also love to move into an Artistic Direction and lead full-scale visual projects.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I remember vividly, being probably 5 or 6 and drawing on all the walls, lampshades, ceilings, furniture, and honestly anything I could get my hands on. I loved expressing myself visually. It felt like the marker was an extension of me that left designs and images in its trail. I always got into trouble for drawing on things around the house. I had a few family members cater to my creative urges and buy me art supplies and show me how to start drawing, painting, and writing. I am forever grateful to the people in my life that recognized my creativity in me and allowed me to foster it.
Contact Info:
- Email: annaleckieart@gmail.com
- Website: www.annaleckieart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaleckieart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annaleckieart
- Other: https://www.charlestonartmarket.com/store/Anna-Leckie-c130024753
Image Credits
Brittany Courtenay
