Rising Stars: Meet Leigh-Ann Edrich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh-Ann Edrich, known as ILIA in the international art world. She shared her story with us below.

A multi-talented artist that creates in every part of her life, Ilia began painting while maintaining a poetic pen pal relationship with a man named Ralph Grimes, who one day she sent a drawing to.

After he hung up the sketch and told her how many admirers praised the work, her confidence, and purpose as an artist were cemented. Inspired by the creativity of her mother and grandfather through gardening, she learned at a mere three years of age and beyond that “life is a canvas” upon which we create.

She continued her poetry, yet was urged by Grimes to try her hand at painting. Her path was set. Known for her ability to communicate exactly what the viewer wants in her commissioned pieces, she sold her first wonderful work in 1987, titled “Cosi Fan Tuti.” Her first check for this validated her increasingly growing ability as an artist.

Ilia weaves a very spiritual feeling into both her writings and art. Schooled by independent teachers, predominately Mr. Grimes who held an MFA, she was rooted further in her work by teachings in Classical, Jazz, Big Band, and more.

Following the lyrical pulse of life, when Ilia paints, creates digital fine art, or writes, she listens to music. Influenced by Mozart, Vivaldi, Loeillet, Telemann, Purcell, Beethoven, Hayden, Bach, flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, and old-time jazz, among more, these sounds help breathe life into her poetic, painterly work. Also heavily influenced by writer, poet, photographer, musician, and filmmaker L. Ron Hubbard, whose rational philosophy has guided her life, as well as inventor and artist Leonardo Di Vinci – she dubs her style as Dreamscapes as it has different colors and flows-reminiscent of her varying high minded influences from art and musical composition to philosophy.

Ilia states, that she creates art to “inspire others to create.” Indeed, her visions for her life, even beyond the canvass, are bright and noble. She adds, “I help other artists to make a living with their art because I found out that once I inspire others to create it elevates us all up higher-myself included. And- at times that person isn’t going to continue unless there is a way or even several ways in which to make a living with their art, so I like to help teach them to do that.”

Ilia is a rare, grounded woman with a vision, and possessing a trained skill and confidence in that vision, which speaks diligently- from the spirit to each work she creates- and from each work in turn to each client. It is with that understanding that we invite you to enjoy the exploration of this very vibrant and deserving artist.

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?
Probably like most youngsters who have a sense of the magic of life, I was always creating as a child. And like many of us, the pathway to adulthood contained brushes with several who had the urge to kill that magic. So, my output slowed and slowed as that magic evaporated away. Until I found my mentor. He did the incredible of rekindling my willingness to let my creativity escape my private world and show up in the real world.

All of us, individually, make our worlds. But the most intimate parts are private, not made to withstand attack and denigration. So it is with an artist. Creativity is always there in anyone, but the artist has to make theirs solid enough for others to experience. If you’re good, you get a reaction. Sometimes you get unpredictable reactions that throw you. And you’re just one person. So you have to be pretty brave to put out art and keep putting it out.

The wide world contains many very solid realities, widely supported by millions. Walmart. Big Macs. The IRS. Gravity. And here you are, an artist to inspire others to also be creatively productive. Not everyone calls themselves an artist, but everyone creates their own life. My purpose is to be that spark that brings more people above the solid, hum-drum solidities of existence and into the creative zones of life.

That is a constant struggle and is the work of an artist. People get themselves into all kinds of stuck frames of mind.

The artist’s job is to bring them out.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known in the international art world as Ilia and that is my artist name.

I specialize in art that takes people to places they haven’t been before.

My dreamscapes are fantasy forms and designs that are fused into digital art which simulates the colors of nature and space and are intended to reach a person with the message that purposes, dreams, and goals can become a reality.

Additionally, I’ve successfully mentored artists for many years; many have gone on to achieve their dreams.

Sometimes my creations escape the canvas and overflow into life. The results of this can be seen in people inspired, neighborhoods uplifted and ideas put into play.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Work in a space that is inspiring to you. If you’re working in a space that is cluttered and in disarray it will reflect in your work.

When choosing what company to work with, look for ethical companies. Reading the fine print can save you many troubles. What you should watch out for are companies that want to take full rights or a sub-license of your works. A company that is ethical will mention that you retain all rights to your works.

Before starting any creation, decide what message you want your viewers to receive. When you complete it, find out if your viewers got that message. I learned this from a book titled ART written by L. Ron Hubbard, it can be found on Amazon. Art has a plethora of information that can be applied to art in its many forms.

Whatever your survival dreams and aspirations are, you can achieve them. Don’t give up. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Proceed straight toward your dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ilia.life/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createdbyilia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Created.by.ILIA/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aka_ilia
• Other: http://artintheparkevents.com/

Image Credits
©Copyright2023 ILIA and Noai Noimageai