Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Leopold.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I can remember making mud pies with my siblings. When all my sisters were fine with how their slop came out, I was the one picking berries to garnish it with, and finding a stick to make crisscross patterns on top just like my Grandmother’s pies. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been creating and making whatever I could with my hands, pushing the boundaries of my own skills. I’m not sure exactly when I started drawing and decided, “Hey, I’m pretty good at this”, but it doesn’t really matter in the end. Fast-forward twenty some years of decisions, experiences, and a metalsmithing degree, and here I am, an artist intrigued by the push and pulls of life and what moves us.
Please tell us about your art.
My art is where I come to terms with my own emotions and thoughts through drawing and scribbling on the page. I normally do women’s portraits, and somehow they sort of always have the same look in their eyes as my own. Lately, I’ve been scribbling through the hair and adding masses of scribbles elsewhere to invoke the chaos of having to hide who you really are, a mess. My work to me, symbolizes the feelings of normalness opposing those feelings of having to act a certain way, be a certain way. My whole life, I’ve wondered as I’m sure everyone else has, am I normal or am I the crazy one? I know a lot of people are easily frustrated with my work, asking why I’m constantly “ruining” my pieces, but there are so many that get it too. I hope the ones that get it, take away a sense of relief. And to the ones I disturbed, I did my job.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
It’s hard to say. I’m still a young artist, but I think social media platforms are helping even the less experienced artists thrive and gives anyone a chance to show their work. I’m from Philadelphia originally, and their art scene is huge. I think we all need to work together to make the San Diego art community larger and more impactful.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I post video processes and photos almost daily to my Instagram @chelsealeopold but they can also view through my website, although I admit, I’m in the process of an update, www.chelsealeopold.com. I have prints available through Society6 under @chelsealeopold, or they can email me if they have a specific requests about originals or commission questions at chelsealeopold@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: chelsealeopold.com
- Email: chelsealeopold@gmail.com
- Instagram: Chelsealeopold
- Facebook: Chelsealeopold
Image Credit:
Chelsea Leopold
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