PDX Profile: Lea Keohane, of LeaK Arts

Lea Keohane makes art with such beautiful, confident use of line and color. Her portraits are intriguing, and yet whimsical. I'm thrilled to interview her for this week's PDX Profile!

You can see lots more of her work on the LeaK Arts Etsy Shop. And by the way, Lea also sells great craft supplies at her other store, Supply Riot. Hard-to-find adjustable ring findings, for one....

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How did you begin as an artist?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved to draw and make crafty projects! My mom used to leave projects out for my brother and I to work on so that she could sleep in on the weekends. Also, my stepmom gave me a little journal when I was 8 that I started writing poetry in. I still have it! As an adult, I got my Bachelor's in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking from PSU in 2002. I struggled for a long time in jobs that I hated, but in the past couple of years I have broken free and found ways to work for myself. I am still working at becoming a full-time artist, but in the meantime I am constantly busy with my supply shop on Etsy, showing at craft fairs, doing piecework for other artisans.... I am always working on one project or the other!

What is your art about? What draws you to create these characters?
I rarely have a plan or image in mind when I sit down to draw or paint. Every morning I wake up very early, before my daughter wakes up, and make a pot of coffee. I choose a song on my iPod and set it to repeat, sit with my cup of coffee, and just start drawing whatever comes to mind. It is very intuitive, and I always draw in pen so whatever I do can't be undone. (Sometimes that inspires some very creative re-working though!)

What are your favorite sources of inspiration? What do you do to keep the muse fed?
Music that makes me feel more deeply, vivid books, movies, long walks through the cemetery across from my apartment or through Laurelhurst Park. Looking at art and comic books (Dave McKean, Neil Gaiman, Klimt, there are too many, but that's a start). Just showing up to work at the same time every day--it's amazing how the longer I keep my early morning habit, the more readily my inspiration seems to simply show up.

What's your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
To me there is no clear line between art and craft. I am one of those (probably annoying to some) people who sees every creative outlet as being the same thing, whether it's writing a poem, knitting a sweater, creating a painting, or anything else. Certainly I view some objects as "Art-ier" or "Craft-ier" than others, though. I guess for me personally it's how much heart someone has put into their work rather than whether an item is utilitarian or not.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
The first place that comes to mind is the Pied Cow on Belmont. Maybe not a classically "creative" spot, but just sitting there always inspires me. Crafty Wonderland, always! Any of the art stores make me drool--I have to put blinders on before I walk into one. There are a lot of other venues that I have not had a chance to check out yet. Yay Portland! Such a creative place in itself.