Meet Leah Kiser of Artifact Fine Art in Casa Grande

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Kiser.

Leah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It is impossible to separate my artistic career from my personal life. I have had to take breaks in my career and make sacrifices to adapt to circumstances to promote the health of my family which is, and will always be, the main objective in my life. That is not to say that I am not a serious artist. My artistic career is very important and I have had to work even harder to balance everything.

I was quite shy as a child. I grew up in a small rural Minnesota community. Drawing was my solace in a cold, complicated world. It was my freedom, a safe place to dream and a way to show my relevance in a space where I would otherwise be overlooked.

I received a Bachelor of Fine Art from Coe College in Iowa. After graduating, my plan was to work what ever job I could find and still make artwork.   That life was  hard to maintain especially after having kids, but I fought to keep working.  Sometimes I failed, but ultimately, when I had my chance I took it and I feel lucky to ride it out this long.  The specifics are kind of a long story, and you can read more about it on the “about us” page on  my website if you are interested: http://www.artifactfa.com/About-Us.html

I don’t know where my work will lead me. I have a number of sketches waiting to be painted, and a number of ideas waiting to be sketched. My work makes me happy, it makes my family happy, and I see how happy it makes people who see it. It is all very validating for a quiet Midwestern wallflower like me.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Artifact Fine Art – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is devoted to entertaining others. My artwork is designed and painstakingly created to surprise people in a good way. I specialize in painting images that are similar to what you would find in a children’s picture book, but painted in a realistic manner on a large canvas. They are careful renderings blending realism with fantasy and humor. I am proud of how happy the images make people feel, and I am proud that they bring art to people who aren’t usually interested in art. I am proud that my artwork is a happy distraction for many people in a time when things sometimes feel so serious.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently, I paint and then I take my work and prints to various art fairs in Arizona. I also have an online Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtifactFineArt

On November 2nd, I’ll be doing something I’ve never done before: drawing live at the dinosaur exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo for their “Roars and Pour” night. I’ll be drawing at the Zoo again for regular hours on Saturday, November 25th. I plan to show at First Fridays on Roosevelt Row, in November and I will also be showing at both the Tempe Festival of the Arts and the Tucson 4th Ave Street Fair in December.

In my work I have been toying around with some different styles and subjects. I went to an illustrator conference in September, and had a portfolio critique with an Art Director for Abrams books. It opened me up to a whole new world that I did not know existed. In the future, I very much would like to illustrate a book for an established publishing company, and I’m going to play around with some composition elements and subjects that might make my portfolio more enticing to publishers.

Pricing:

• My non archival prints range from $5.00 greeting cards to $25 matted 8×10 prints
• My archival prints are limited edition approximately 15 x 23″ and they are $100 unframed.
• Originals are between $150 – $1500 depending on size and detail
• 24×36″ non archival posters are $35

Contact Info:

• Website:www.artifactfa.com
• Phone:5204506896
• Email:artifactfa@gmail.com
• Instagram:Artifactfineart
• Facebook:@artifactfa
• Twitter:@artifactfineart

Image Credit:
Painting by Leah Kiser (all images) A Walk to Remember, Belly Dancer, White Swan, Socktopus, Slinky Dinky Doo, and Golden Afternoon, (and if it loads Black Swan)

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