Life and Work with Karma Leigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karma Leigh.

Karma, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I feel like I have lived several lifetimes and each holds weight and value in my story of becoming an artist and educator. A few moments come to mind that were catalysts in bringing me to where I am today; a self-taught artist and educator, the two often meeting in projects and work.

Skateboarding introduced me to graffiti: Both of these worlds allowed me to meet a ton of different people, introduced me to different lifestyles, brought me to adventure in uncommon areas around the city and often to places only workers ever saw, typically at night.

This lead me to “The Spot”, a youth center in Downtown Denver, where Hip-Hop was the common theme. I met a bunch of friends and mentors who really helped save my life. I was severely depressed and experiencing a lot of trauma and was able to find myself through my art and creativity. I learned how to teach, use my voice and found value in charging for my art and expertise. I wish our youth today had a place like this, so many people I know today are alive because of “The Spot”! This is one of the reasons why I teach in the non-traditional environments I do now. It’s my way to repay the people who taught me.

I was exposed to so much rad information at a young age, and these experiences taught me to be fearless and jump first, ask questions later. This lead me another important force in my creativity, hustle, and learning. On a freezing, icy, winter day in Denver, I decided to buy a one-way ticket to Phoenix, on a greyhound and left knowing only one person there. This city became my second home and is still hugely influential on me and my work today.

Has it been a smooth road?
Oh, hell no! What would life be without challenges and obstacles?! A huge thing I struggled with in my early years was living in a “man’s world”, where it was felt, by a lot of women, we had to be three times better than the worst man to get any credit. There are still a lot of #penispolitics to overcome but things are shifting, even if slowly.

Nowadays, my challenge is balancing my love and passion for educating youth, my art, and my family life. All take a ton of mental and emotional energy, so being kind to myself when I take a day “off” is becoming a new learned experience.

Advice to young women and LGBTQ youth coming up? Not everyone will like you. Accept it and keep pushin’ you! If you want to pursue your craft & become an entrepreneur, expect to work double or more of what friends with a 9-5 work. Learn the art of saying NO, and being okay with it, your mental, spiritual and physical health will thank you. Also, coffee is not food and naps are totally okay.

Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of. What sets you apart from others?
I love to create! I make art with acrylic and aerosol on wood, canvas, and walls. I love being commissioned to paint specific work for clients and love painting portraits of people! I am also a huge supporter of our feathered friends and love to paint them, especially Ravens, Crows, and Owls.

I have created two coloring books from freestyle line drawings, aptly named “Cloud 9”; they depict my daydreams in physical form. I make merchandise from my art too, which I sell under the name “Cult Culture” and includes, jewelry, candles magnets and more.

As an educator, I have been blessed to work in environments which compliment my artistic abilities. I have been an art teacher with Voz y Corazon going on my 5th year. I was invited as a community artist to teach for the EPIC Arts Program at Rise Up Academy through RedLine Gallery 2018.

I have also worked with Museo de las Americas for 6 years in multiple roles including as a Maestra in underserved communities and we have plans for some collaborative murals in the near future.

The work I do comes from my heart and a genuine passion to help young people and I am so happy I have been able to find spaces where I can be myself in both worlds. My newest endeavor is teaching my own classes via an esoteric Sip and Paint at Gypsy House Café. I am always thinking up ways to expand what I do!

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Adaptability. My life wasn’t traditionally stable all the time and we all had to learn how to roll with the punches and adjust as needed. It made me a quick learner, self-reliant and determined. All great components for success as an entrepreneur. I also moved from a very diverse neighborhood in northeast Aurora off of Colfax to a predominantly white mountain town in the middle of second grade. I was called a “dirty little Indian” and “beaner” among other things at various times throughout school. Crappy and heartbreaking at the time, but this helps me now when I work with youth who struggle with identity issues. Learning from my struggles has helped me greatly as an educator and artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karmaleighta.com
• Email: hello@karmaleighta.com
• Instagram: @karmaleigh
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KarmaLeigh.Art/

Image Credit:
Armando Geneyro

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