Meet Leah Nadeau
I had seen and admired Leah's artwork on Instagram, and followed her work before she reached out for an updated branding session. Meeting her in person and hearing her story about how she found her flow as a professional artist was so inspiring!
Seeing her artwork in person is more stunning than online. I kind of knew that beforehand from experience going to museums and galleries and seeing others works before too. But, I was reminded of his fact: art is truly powerful when seen directly.
It was a real treat to help her and shine through photography to share her artwork with the online world and soon to be in print magazine format too!
What I really appreciate is how she also offers prints and seasonal items (like ornaments) for art lovers who may not have the budget for an original.
Without further ado, I give you Leah, sharing her journey to becoming a full-time artist!
How would you describe what you do?
I’m a contemporary fine artist that uses acrylic paint to make geometric, colorful artwork that has Mid Century Modern elements. I use all colors of the rainbow, but I’m best known for my use of orange and retro toned color palettes. I also love making rainbow colored saturated pieces that are inspired by growing up with Lisa Frank, who if you don’t know is a designer known for colorful depictions of animals on school supplies in the 90s and 2000s.
How did you decide to focus on this area of art?
When I was in college I took a contemporary art history class that introduced me to famous abstract artists. For the first time in my life, I felt moved emotionally by art and I have been chasing that feeling since. My goal is to make others feel like how I felt when viewing art in person in museums. I specifically love abstract expressionists, who were also present during the Mid-Century Modern Era.
What inspired you to become a full time artist?
When I first made an Instagram account for my artwork in 2016, I saw women on Instagram who had become full-time artists without selling at galleries and I didn’t even realize that was possible. This representation I didn’t know I needed allowed me to dream about the possibility, and suddenly it’s all I wanted for myself. I remember in 2017 I paid someone to design my first website and my sister went “so you’ve gone all in on being an artist, huh?” and I hadn’t even realized it until she mentioned it. I invested money in a website and this dream without hesitation, it’s like I knew it was meant to be.
I’ve always struggled with keeping the same job. Since college, I can’t count the amount of jobs I’ve had on my own two hands. Jobs on the list included: working at a start-up in Silicon Valley for a marketing company, working as a reading tutor for Sylvan Learning Center, A dog walker, a nanny, at one point I even was the go-to person for art supply returns for a company in China who didn’t have anyone in the US to look at their returned inventory. When becoming my boss was even a glimmer of possibility I jumped at the chance.
What advice or tips would you like to share for those considering this career path?
I recommend anyone who wants to eventually have a full-time job as an artist to have a part-time job until you can fully support yourself full-time as an artist. In this post-pandemic world, the cost of living in many places is insane and there is no shame in having a part-time job in addition to being an artist. I sometimes coach artists and many of them feel ashamed to have a part-time job, but I don’t think there is anything to be ashamed of being financially responsible.
What’s a great way for people to connect with you to learn more?
You can find me interacting with people daily on both Instagram.com/leahnadeau.art and Facebook.com/leahnadeau.art, or directly on my website with my chat widget on leahnadeau.com
Visit Leah's website to see how she uses her branding photos - here's just a snapshot of examples below:
