How can you describe art that you love? It’s difficult, because, how can you describe beauty, or an emotion? A few months ago I discovered an illustration that I found so beautiful and profoundly emotional that it’s stayed with me ever since and I felt I had to learn more about the artist behind it. The illustration is called “Abstractions Aside” (fourth one below) and the author is Leigh Viner, a multi-talented artist who creates in many fields of the art world, from illustration and painting, to photography. Her style is so distinctive from anything I’ve seen and one of the things I love the most about her works is her incredible ease in capturing the femininity in her women subjects. I contacted Leigh for an interview for Classiq and I was so happy that she kindly accepted my invitation. Thank you, Leigh.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I look at your works is ‘grace’. Who has influenced your drawing style and how did you develop your style?
My style definitely has grown with me throughout the years as I experiment and grow to know what feels right, but my greatest influence by far has been David Downton. I have always enjoyed his fashion illustrations and still do. Also Cecil Beaton and Rene Gruau to name just a few. There is endless inspiration out there for me, whether it be another artist, photographer or from a film I am watching. I just know I love to experiment and create in the moment of what may be inspiring me each day.
Which are the most important projects you’ve worked on?
All of my projects are important to me, each one is special in its own right. May it be a commission for a large company or for an individual client, or even for my readers on my blog, I definitely take each one as I am creating it as the most important piece.
How much does fashion influence your work?
Fashion influences my work in many ways. Fashion along with drawing to express myself at a young age has naturally been there as far back as I can remember. I am basically still doing what I was doing as a little girl by finding inspiration in fashion magazines, runway and creating from what grabs my senses and inspires. I also have always wanted to be a fashion designer as well, and who knows, anything is possible. I wake up everyday and am just in awe that I am actually doing exactly what I love and want to do everyday, full time at that. Just this morning as I was getting my blog together and starting a new illustration I told myself, I cannot believe this is my job!! It has taken years to get here, I will never take it for granted.
Illustration in general, and fashion illustration in particular, is a beautiful art-form, but is it a dying art? Is there a chance to put fashion illustration back on the map, maybe in response to this age of overly digitized fashion photography?
I agree, a very beautiful art form that I think grabs the subject matter entirely differently, but complimentary to fashion photography. I do not see it as a dying art form only because I live it each day, so it is always there. I may be biased to even see it as a dying art.
Are are you considering extending your portfolio towards other artistic areas?
I actually create with many different forms. I paint oil on canvas as what was done with “Paolo Roversi Series 1”, to watercolor, pens, pastels and charcoals on paper. I am working with acrylic now for my next piece, which I used to do more often, “Push” was created using acrylic. It just depends on the mood and what feels right in the moment. I love to just go with the flow while creating. As far as extending, I have just picked up some rice paper to experiment with this week and excited to see what may come of it. I think it is so important to not only stick with what you love and what works but to grow continually and experiment, as experimentation is exactly what has brought me here today doing what I love full time.
And a little more different question: What are you the most proud of at the end of the day?
My sweet, wonderful 9 year old daughter Braelynn!! As long as she is happy, so am I.
Leigh Viner’s work is currently available for purchase in her Etsy shop, Leigh Viner on Etsy (there’s nothing I love to give or receive more as a gift, besides books). She also has a blog, Create, where she reveals her thoughts and inspirations behind her work.
Happy Monday and have a wonderful week!
photos: courtesy of Leigh Viner, published with permission
I would be happy just with the visuals because her art really is beautiful, but then I scrolled and saw the interview, too! What a great opportunity to talk to such a talented person – really enjoyed this post! Thank you! x
P.S. Off to pin pin pin pin pin 🙂
Happy Monday! She is a remarkable artist, I had seen some of er work, but didn’t know she is so versatile. Love to have something of hers on my wall ) xo
Ada, I so enjoyed reading this interview.
Her work is so beautiful, very unique. I have kept at least two pieces by her on my wish list and I know that one day I have to do something about that!
Beautiful post and I love the pieces you picked.
Wonderful piece. Great info.
Love the the sketches as well.
ENjoy the week.
i adore her work, but clearly need to catch up, those last few pieces are new to me and so beautiful. great interview!
What a nice interview, very interesting. Beautiful illustrations. she’s very talented. All those are one of a kind and it’s so hard to say “this one is my favorite”, in all these you see the hand of the creator. Striking is the expression on her face, those eyes! in image 2. In 6, this is totally different, but oh my…beautiful!! Great, thanks for sharing this!
Audrey
these really are spectacular especially the more time you spend looking at each one. it does remind me of my childhood in the 80’s looking at fashion magazines over and over again. i think it is the emotion that is captured that reminds me of this. lovely.
Leigh is absolutely incredible and one of my favorite illustrators. Such a wonderful interview, Ada. Illustrating is such a passion of mine. She truly inspires me 🙂 xoxo
I absolutely love these!!!! Wow! So glad you share with us Ada – I already pinned this in the morning! I can definitely see the love for David Downton, whose work is also amazing.
Thank you for your comment, it’s good to be kinda back! Still got lots of reading/catching up to do!
Have a terrific week!
x.o.x.o
I truly want to be the women in these drawings! Thank you for sharing the art and the interview!
What amazing photos!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
wonderful article
Such lovely elegant work.. I love the first one! A great interview Ada:)x
Ada, the interview is wonderful! Beautiful work! Your introduction at the beginnin is great
big hugs
Would love to have these hanging on my wall 🙂
Fabulous pieces, really beautiful art, I’d love to have one of these in my room 🙂
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Best regards!
Wonderful interview Ada. I love her work and her illustration style is gorgeous–all of her inspirations are my favorites too. So glad you introduced me to her work!
xo Mary Jo
What an incredible artist! Beautiful, beautiful illustrations. I love her use of color.
xo camille @ wildfleur
Amazing and stunning work. Thanks for sharing his work.
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