Community Highlights: Meet Lisa D. Lechuga of Lechetti Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa D. Lechuga.

Hi Lisa D., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am an L.A. based Latina artist & floral designer.

As a creative, I’m always excited to find new ways to express and learn. I’m continuously passionate to grow and share my craft. My journey began as a young art student immersed in the world of visual and performing arts. I finished a degree in studio art at CSULB, falling in love with painting, photography and ceramics.

Using my skills in these areas, I fell into the film business painting sets. Fast and furious was the life of a set painter. And due to the high stress on the body and mind of film production, I went back to grad school (UCLA) to obtain a degree in set design, focusing on drawing and drafting, production, research and development. This is where I began to dabble in areas of design for theater, soft sculpture, fabrics, puppetry. I worked as associate designer for three summers of Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, five seasons with The Hollywood Bowl summer musicals and painted for six years for MTV movie awards. (This is where I met my future husband and design partner, Evan A. Bartoletti)

Gratefully, my work has given me the opportunity to wear many hats. I’ve volunteered with Virginia Avenue Project as a mentor and prop maker, worked as a guest designer and lecturer for the international theater company the Global Theatre Project, been a guest altar artist for Dia De Los Muertos at the Hollywood Forever, as well as a creative producer and puppet choreographer for Voices Carry, Inc., an avant-garde dance/theatre company.

Around 2008 major life changes forced and forged new beginnings for me. I broke my wrist, got married and started my own design company: Lechetti Design was born; a creative art studio specializing in event & set design and floral styling.

Breaking my wrist changed me and my trajectory as a creative. I felt that I had to find a way to continue to pursue my passion for art with out taxing my body and mind. I needed to merge my desire for creativity with… being in and giving back to the community.

Honestly, I stumbled into flowers and floral design. I was making floral adornments with my Hula (Hawaiian dance) sisters when I fell in love with this idea of sharing my art with others through flowers. (Hawaiian teachings focus on the importance of living with gratitude and responsibility, having respect for one’s community, and above all, honoring the earth. This is how I wanted my life and my work to integrate.)

At this point, knowing how much joy flowers had brought me, I thoroughly immersed in everything floral. Now, I specialize in lei & bouquets. I deliver flowers around the city, I make floral adornments for special occasions like proms & graduation and I’m now the resident floral designer for Weddings by the Sea in Santa Barbara.

This beautiful life has taken me down a path of constant discovery and joy. I want to give a big heart filled with gratitude to my husband, my family and my teachers who have shared their knowledge and supported my growth.

Flowers has a language all unto itself. I hope my flowers inspire, energizes, and gives us an opportunity to connect with each other.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. The entertainment business if fraught with its own dynamics. It takes a particular temperament to work in the film industry. I say I have aged my body working so hard. As I have gotten older, taking care of my well-being has become a priority. Working around people that have that same intention is equally important. Los Angeles is a fast-paced energetic city filled with possibility and … burnout. Some of the biggest struggles has been working as a freelancer and the uncertainty it brings: job security, health insurance, savings… I often felt overworked and unappreciated. It’s taken a lifetime to feel enough. Refraining from the social media comparison is a must!

Breaking my wrist while volunteering on a project was the hardest and most painful lesson. More than not, most people will let you give them your gifts for free. And as a creative individuals for preservation and to avoid burnout, we have to have boundaries and demand our own self-worth. Just say no. I have had to say no to a few jobs that would only take and not give back. As we get older, our energy is not the same, so we must look out for our own safety and wellness. Look to work with like-minded individuals.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lechetti Design?
Lechetti Design is a Los Angeles-based creative art studio specializing in event & set design and floral styling. We offer an additional range of design services including consulting & fabrication, drawing & painting and floral styling.

I am the “Lech” in Lechuga and my partner and husband Evan A. Bartoletti is the “etti” in Lechetti.

We are known for our excellence in design and generosity of creativity. There is nothing the Etti can’t solve or create in our productions… Evan who is an exceptional production designer and art director loves to figure out any creative challenge or idea. Our work is heavily influenced by arts education background and so our designs are rooted in art history, theory, concepts and deconstruction.

We design for events & offer flower delivery.

But we are known for the relationships we build and the care & commitment we provide. Each show, each event, each bridal bouquet, each flower lei comes with intention, passion and love for what we do. No two projects are the same. We enjoy the collaborative nature of the arts. We believe in inclusion & community. We know how privileged we are to be working artists and hope to share our gifts with others; whether by work relationship, mentorship or collaboration.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
In terms of support: As the floral designer in our business… this is still in its budding stages.

I need a coach… Flowers is all about referrals and marketing. I’m learning how to grow that aspect.

We love collaboration. Please contact us at lechettidesign.com.

We also work with young folks just getting started in the business. We offer mentor with paid on job training.

Pricing:

• Lei/Floral Crown: $145
• Bouquet: $95 – $350
• Floral Cuffs: $45
• Floral Earrings: $45 – $145

Contact Info:

• Email: Lisa@lechettidesign.com
• Website: www.lechettidesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisalechugabartoletti/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/lechettidesign/?hl=en

Image Credits
Wedding Photos by Rebecca Spiegelman (@bexxphotographysb) Set photos by Evan Bartoletti Flower photos by Lisa Lechuga