Watch 4 interviews from the Under the Influence series on Art Forum.
Take notes on the interviews and be sure to note the questions as they relate to artist influence. How would you answer the interview questions?
Who was your most important teacher?
I had an art teacher in high-school who was probably the most relatable teacher I ever had. He encouraged me to embrace my love for anime and cartoons, and to keep drawing until I find what I like. He also supervised the art club and had us be a part of several community art projects. Although I didn’t see it then, reflecting on it made me realize the importance of artists coming together to help inspire others and add color to their city.
What artist most influenced you?
My sister is a big reason why I do art in the first place. She taught me how to draw and continues to support my art today. Natasha Allegri is another artist who first exposed me to the TV animation industry after seeing her work. I had no idea at the time that having a job in storyboarding or character designing was a real thing.
What is your favorite artwork?
There’s so much artwork that comes to mind, but most recently I’ve been enjoying work by Seung-Eun Kim, particularly his character sheets and designs for the show The Boondocks.
What exhibition had the most influence on you?
I haven’t gone to many exhibitions this past year, but one I remember from 2023 that had a lasting impact on me was one by Brazilian artist Maxwell Alexandre in his series “Pardo é Papel” which I saw at The Shed in NY. It was fascinating seeing his work blend pop culture, commercial products, and his identity as a black man in Brazil. It was fun and enlightening seeing his art, and his use of gold, brown, and yellow really sticks out in my brain.
What is your favorite museum?
The MET is always a great trip. The Renaissance art section is my favorite, along with the medieval collection.
What other creative fields/disciplines influence you?
Music and poetry. Lyrics from my favorite songs have inspired me to make art about them in the past.
Have you ever made a choice that was influenced by someone’s critique or feedback?
Yes, I always seek feedback from others. Whether it was to adjust the facial expression of someone, anatomy, or pushing the elements in my design: I welcome it. I love to experiment and force myself to see through their eyes.
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Some of the best advice I've received recently that I think would help any aspiring artists is to not worry too much about finding your “style,” it will come naturally to you. That is why we gravitate towards different yet specific kinds of artwork, it helps shape who we are as an artist, organically.
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READ:
Interview: Le’Andra LeSeur by Ksenia M. Soboleva / BOMB Magazine https://bombmagazine.org/articles/2023/09/18/leandra-leseur-interviewed/
Take notes as you think about how you bring meaning to your work through your creative decisions.
1. What inspired LeSeur? Compare what motivates you to create meaning.
Le’Andra LeSeur’s work is inspired by her experiences as a Black, queer woman, as well as her exploration of identity, grief, joy, the body and the gaze. Her art has been a response to what may be going on in the world, such as the unjust murders of Black People over the years, or a reflection of how she's feeling about life. She also experiments with color and light– particularly blue and red– to create immersive environments for viewers to engage with her work on a sensory and emotional level.
When I think about what motivates me to create meaning in my work, I get it from the values and lessons I grew up on either hearing it from family or watching it on TV. Watching a good movie or an episode of a show I like tends to inspire me to make art that’s just as impactful, and this can range from it being funny, sad, or frightening. I love storytelling and including symbolism in my art– I always try to base it off of my own experiences or of my loved ones. When I create characters, I want people to feel inspired by them or see themselves being represented. Just as I found my mom, my siblings, or characters on TV inspiring, I want to make someone else feel the same.
2. How does your choice of material, process, aesthetic, content, etc. reinforce your message?
In my work, I switch between dry media and digital software as I am most comfortable with them. The medium doesn’t necessarily hold too much meaning in the main art that I do, it just makes it possible for me to get my ideas down most accurately and conveniently.
My process always starts with some sketching based on an idea I had either in the moment or something I had written long ago. I like to incorporate a level of realness in my work, so looking for references and creating mood boards helps when I’m trying to create a scene or character. This research phase is crucial because it ensures that my work feels authentic and relatable, even when it’s fantastical or exaggerated.
The aesthetic I go for is very much influenced by cartoons and anime, and I like to keep it this way because it’s nostalgic and fun for me. Whether it’s fantasy or based on real life, the style remains the same. This approach also helps elevate my message of what tends to be silly gags, the beauty in life, and everyday relatability. The playful, animated style allows me to tackle serious or introspective themes in a way that feels accessible and inviting, much like how LeSeur uses color and light to draw viewers into her work.
As for the content in my art, I’m still exploring what resonates most with me. Is it humor? Is it self-expression? Is it storytelling? I think it’s a combination of all three. Humor allows me to connect with others and find joy in the mundane, while self-expression helps me process my own experiences and emotions. Storytelling, on the other hand, gives me the freedom to create worlds and characters that reflect my values and aspirations. Ultimately, my goal is to create art that feels authentic to me while also resonating with others– whether it makes them laugh, think, or see themselves in a new light.
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