Leanne, the 25 year old Freelance Illustrator from Magherafelt, lives in Belfast. She started in the industry by constantly going to gigs from when she first started university.
As she met various musicians Leanne started to work on event posters, album covers, t-shirt designs…you name it, she was doing it. She became a go-to for last-minute posters because of her quick turnarounds.
As Leanne kept doing these jobs, working on her own projects, things started to pick up from there. From QFT posters to chalkboard illustrations, she does a little bit of everything!
What genre / style do you create in?
My work is mainly figurative, exploring local characters and far off worlds. I’m deeply interested in people and their stories, especially through the scope of feminism. Fluidity, colour and texture are major elements in my illustrations, along with the odd plant.
What would you be best known for?
Probably album art. It’s something I love working on, so much so that I did an entire personal project called ‘Midweek Mixtape’ where I reimagined some of my favourite tracks as album covers. Since then I’ve worked with loads of great local bands and the bulk of my commissions come from the Belfast music scene so I’d say that’s what I’m most known for.
Also for carrying snacks at all times.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
There are so many projects that I’m incredibly proud to have worked on, and really enjoyed doing. But I’d say that my biggest achievement has been getting my prints out there and actually selling my own work.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
Know your worth (and charge accordingly!)
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Working in a creative field is never easy, however, I think my biggest challenge to date has actually just been myself.
In the past, I had huge issues with confidence in my work and had trouble putting myself out there. Taking my drawings out of the safety of their sketchbooks and putting them out into the world for other people to look at was terrifying but ultimately liberating; and the best thing I could’ve done for my career.
Spending less time comparing myself to strangers on the internet and more time doing what I love has helped me overcome this uncertainty and go after what I want.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
I’m a paper hoarding, paintbrush ruining, vegetarian with a soft spot for murder podcasts.
Tell us about your most recent work?
Recently I’ve been working on a self-initiated project called ‘In Blue’, a series of paintings where I explore feelings of loss and isolation brought on by lockdown.
One of my favourite things about illustrating is working with colour, this project has allowed me to really play around with new palettes and textures, so I’m having a great time with it.
What would you like us to tell people about?
Recently, I had the honour of being featured in Composure Zine, a publication that provides a platform for creatives in the DIY music scene. The zine also donates all revenue to support non-profit organisations like No More Dysphoria! Even better!
You can now find my prints both in store and online at Born and Bred, go on and have a wee nosy.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
It’s cathartic, strange, and sometimes a little bit gloomy, but there’s hope (and a lot of heart) in there too.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
I mean, I ran out of red ink once so, in a pinch, used fake blood on a commission instead.
I’m still unsure as to why I, as someone who draws things for a living, had more fake blood to hand than I did art supplies, but there you are. In the end, it came out really well and the effect was cool, so I guess it all worked out for the best.
Explaining to the client what I had used to get that great shade of red was a little awkward though.
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Remember that everyone takes a different path at different pace to end up where they want to be. Stop comparing yourself to people on Instagram and take joy in what you’re doing, you’ll get there.
Also!
Keep. Drawing.
Bring your sketchbook with you wherever you go, and use it!
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
If you’d like to get in touch, or just have a look at some more of my work, head on over to Leanne-McWilliams.com
Who do you look up to and why?
Alongside my work as an illustrator, I hold a part-time position at a local shop, Born and Bred. I work with some incredibly talented and lovely humans who inspire me every day to fearlessly pursue my goals. Honestly, I look up to all of them!
Also my mum. My first and absolute favourite artist. Thanks for letting me ruin many, many of your tablecloths with my paint.
You can find more of Leanne’s work using her handle @LeanneTrea on Instagram.