Life & Work with Deneishia LeArtiste

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deneishia LeArtiste.

Hi Deneishia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an artist and storyteller has been one of exploration, resilience, and deep connection to community. I grew up in Denver but spent years moving across the country, seeking opportunities that aligned with my creative vision. Along the way, I earned an MFA in Creative Writing for Film and Television, taught college English, and built a multifaceted career in the arts—spanning writing, performance, photography, filmmaking, and culinary storytelling.

At the heart of my work is a belief that art is more than self-expression; it’s how humans connect, heal, and thrive together. This philosophy led me to launch Auntie Dee’s, a catering and community nourishment venture that blends the culinary traditions of my African American, Indigenous, and Western European heritage. I also produce and host podcasts and art therapy courses, exploring creativity’s impact on mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

Now, I’m focused on expanding my impact—whether through crafting compelling narratives, supporting fellow creatives, or fostering spaces where art and healing intersect. Every step of my journey has reinforced my commitment to using storytelling in all its forms to build bridges, inspire, and transform lives.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth. It has been jagged, uneven, and at times, nearly impossible to walk. I have carried the weight of depression, chronic illness, and CPTSD, each one shaping the way I move through the world. My mind processes everything at once, in layers and spirals, making consistency a battle. My body, riddled with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, does not always cooperate with the ambitions of my soul. There have been times when simply existing felt like too much—when the pain, the exhaustion, the noise of the world became unbearable.

Beyond the internal struggles, the external world has presented its own barriers. As a Black, neurodivergent, queer artist, I have had to carve out spaces where I belong. I have watched opportunities slip away because I do not fit into easily digestible molds. I have faced the loneliness that comes with being different, the frustration of fighting for visibility in industries that often overlook those who do not conform.

But every roadblock, every detour, has forced me to build my own path. My art, in all its forms—writing, performance, photography, culinary storytelling—is a direct response to these struggles. It is how I heal, how I connect, how I refuse to disappear.

Returning to Denver was not just about geography; it was about reclaiming myself. I found a community of artists, healers, and visionaries who understand what it means to create from the fractures. Through Auntie Dee’s, my podcasts, my art therapy work, and my storytelling, I am not just surviving—I am thriving. And I am creating spaces for others to do the same.

The road has not been smooth, but I have learned that smooth roads rarely lead to anything worthwhile. My journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-acceptance. And for that, I am grateful.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I am a storyteller. That story takes many forms—writing, performance, photography, filmmaking, culinary arts, and community healing. My work isn’t confined to one medium because neither is the human experience. I create in multiple ways because creativity itself is how I process the world and how I help others do the same.

I am best known for my ability to capture emotion—whether through words, images, performances, or food. I help people see themselves more clearly, whether it’s through a photograph that reflects their essence, a podcast conversation that sparks self-awareness, a meal that evokes a sense of home, or a performance that makes them feel understood.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just create—I curate experiences. My work is immersive, blending art and healing, storytelling and nourishment. I don’t approach art as something to be consumed but as something to be lived. That’s why my catering company, Auntie Dee’s, isn’t just about food—it’s about cultural memory and community care. My photography isn’t just about images—it’s about capturing a person’s truth. My podcast isn’t just about conversation—it’s about transformation.

I am most proud of the spaces I have built where people feel seen, held, and nourished—not just creatively, but emotionally and spiritually. My work is for those who feel like they exist outside the margins, who need a place to breathe, to heal, to reconnect with themselves. I create because I know what it means to need art to survive. And I make sure my work honors that.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
For most of my life, I wasn’t given the tools to support my natural way of functioning. Instead, I was taught to mold myself into what society deemed “right”—to suppress my neurodivergence, to push through pain and exhaustion, to force myself into structures that never truly fit. It wasn’t until I began understanding how my brain and body actually work that I was able to find systems that support me, rather than fight against me.

Technology has become an essential part of that. Because I struggle with time perception, I rely on apps that create my schedule for me and remind me when to shift tasks. Structured (free) is a great example—it helps break my day into clear, manageable blocks without me having to plan everything manually. I also use timer apps like Pomodoro Timer to keep me focused while allowing for necessary breaks.

Since I can’t afford to pay an editor, I use tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor to refine my writing. These help me ensure my work is polished without adding extra cognitive load.

Social media is a crucial part of my work, but depression and burnout make consistency difficult. I use Meta Business Suite (for Instagram and Facebook) and Later (for multiple platforms) to schedule posts in advance. This means that even when I need rest, my content is still reaching my audience, allowing me to focus on healing without losing momentum.

These tools don’t just make me more productive—they help me work with my brain instead of against it. They give me the flexibility to honor my body, my mental health, and my creative process. Learning to support myself in this way has been life-changing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deneishialeartisteofficial?igsh=ZjZqajdmc2NhMzN5
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FEgGp4QFK/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeArtisteTV

Image Credits
I am the photographer for all photos. Deneishia LeArtiste