Meet Leilah Li

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leilah Li.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m from Portland, Oregon, and I’ve always been an artist. I would say my dad is the reason I am an artist. Not only did he pass on those creative genes, he’s always inspired and pushed me to find my own passion. My mom has always been supportive of my love of art and creating too. I grew up in a home full of art, art supplies, books, nature, and love. I grew up surrounded by all the things that sculpted me into the artist I am today.

After high school, I attended Otis College of Art and Design and graduated as a Toy Design major. Originally I thought I wanted to work for a toy company, but my creativity and talent exceeds what a company can offer me. I’m extremely happy working on my own, meeting new people who also don’t want to work in the confines of a company, and finding inventive ways to make our dreams come true by working together and combining our collective skills.

Please tell us about your art.
I started off as a doll painter, a faceup artist. People would send me their dolls to paint how they want. Most BJDs come blank, so you have to either paint it yourself or send it to an artist to paint. I love painting dolls for people because I love bringing their characters to life. Dolls evoke so much feeling and emotion, and it’s wild how much a faceup, certain colors, lines, and textures can do for a doll. When I first started in the community, I learned how important these dolls are to people. People put so much time, love, and effort into these dolls because they’re our friends. It’s so important that they are well taken care of because they take care of the inner child in all of us; they make us happy. That’s why I think my job is so important.

I started sculpting dolls because I wanted to paint something I made, rather than paint the dolls of another creator. I sculpted Ery, winter of 2016 and she is my ‘firstborn’ as I say. She’s the ultimate labor of love. I wanted the chance for other people to put what they want, put a character they love, into MY doll. I wanted to flip the roles and have someone else put a character in my doll, rather than me, painting a doll made by someone else into my character.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national, or international events and issues affect your art?
I stay far away from politics. Doll politics included. Making art is my happy place, not a place of debate, controversy, and injustice, there is enough of that already in the world. I take inspiration from things that make me and others happy; therefore, I only collect the best ingredients for my creations.

That being said, I know that there are artists who are being affected by the world around them, local, national and international events have caused a great amount of art to be created, but I personally am more interested in what makes individuals happy, rather than focusing on the problems and negativities of today.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I post only to Instagram and Flickr, and you can support my work by being an active follower and buying my dolls and merchandise!

Contact Info:

• Address: 1009. N Pacific
  #4848
  Glendale, CA 91222
• Website: culur-theory.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_u_l_u_r/
• Other: https://www.flickr.com/photos/culurfaceups/

Image Credit:
Leilah Li

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