WAM! The Wesleyan Artist Market Goes Virtual in 2021- Ali Leja Spotlight

Giving precedence to health and safety, the Wesleyan Artist Market is adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

But instead of having to cancel like last year when the pandemic took the world by surprise, this year they’ve had the marvelous idea of using technology to allow a contactless experience.

In the season’s spirit of renewal and rebirth, I present to you the Wesleyan Artist Market, reimagined.

We won’t be deprived of the fine arts, wares and jewelry we’ve all come to look forward to each spring, and 82 professional artists will be able to share their works while bolstering Wesleyan’s admirable art program. Win! Win! Win!

Mark your calendars for April 22 – 29. The show is being hosted by Shopify and will go live to the public at 4pm on the 22nd. Go to wesleyan-artist-market-2021.myshopify.com and enjoy the show!

Ali Leja

Change is good

Self-taught artist Ali Leja was a guidance counsellor for 20 years before trading in her 600-student case load for paintbrushes. “I told my husband one day I wanted to learn how to paint,” Leja recounted. After having seen her cycle through expensive knitting, lamp-making and jewelry-making phases, he was leery.

Yet Leja started painting and 10 years later, she hasn’t stopped. It finally felt like she was doing what she was meant to do. “I painted for three years while working as a counsellor. The principal allowed me to sell the artwork to parents who came to my office,” Leja chuckled.

WAM

The Wesleyan Artist Market (WAM) was Leja’s first art show and remains a favorite. In the midst of resolving estate issues and grieving the loss of her parents, she couldn’t imagine participating this year if not for Gina Solomon of the WAM Team, who offered to upload Leja’s art. “It was the worst time of my life. It’s very special to have that kind of relationship,” Leja said.

Paint with personality

Leja’s subjects are varied: beach ladies in giant hats, animals, insects, perfume bottles, florals, fruit, rain boots, cocktails and ice-cream cones. “I get bored easily. You won’t know me for one subject, you’ll know me for my style,” she said.

“I like to layer and acrylics dry fast. By the time you’re done with the painting, it’s dry,” Leja explained. “Oils can take weeks to dry. Acrylics fit my personality better. I also use charcoal, inks and pastels to enhance them.”

Varnish seals the charcoal and pastels. “I spray it so it doesn’t rub off. I’d rather not use anything, for the sake of the environment, but it does bring out a richness in the colors and gives a bit of a shine,” Leja said.

Large, chunky brush strokes and fun colors define her work. “I’d say my style is modern and happy. I use big brushes and a lot of canvas with quick movement. I like to paint bigger; my strokes are large. The bigger I paint, the more I enjoy it,” Leja added. “My favorite size is 30” x 30” — it’s good for homes and easy for galleries to carry. I’ve painted pieces from 20” x 20” to 60” x 60”.”

Faceless portraits

Leja paints all kinds of animals and people. “It comes naturally, and I enjoy it,” she said. What’s unique about Leja’s people is they don’t have faces. She believes the absence of specific features makes the figures relatable to a broader audience.

“I use shading. You can see where features would go because of the shading and skin tones, but I don’t do the features of a face,” Leja explained. Her animals and pets, however, do have faces. “I love to bring animals to life.

Art therapy

A bright basement studio is Leja’s haven. “I paint happy because that’s how I want to feel,” she said. “There’s a lot more meaning than just a cute or pretty canvas. When I’m in my studio, I don’t have any problems. It’s a magical outlet.”

Leja confided that art saved her soul and helped her stay connected. “I love to make people’s homes pretty, but it’s also something I do to cope.”

Painting big strokes is a release of emotions for her. “It’s how I survive hard times — especially the past two years. My mom was on life support,” Leja shared. “Painting got me through it.”

An artist’s work is never done

Artists don’t just paint. “I spend 30 to 40% of my time painting and 60 to 70% on administrative work. I paint canvas edges, varnish paintings, string the art (add hooks and wire) and I ship. I photograph and inventory my art. I run my social media. There’s a lot of marketing involved,” Leja shared.

While her joy is in creating original art, Leja also has a licensing agreement with a company that reproduces her art on prints, pillows, cocktail napkins, and trays. It’s a way for more people to see her art in different forms and to acquire more affordable prints.

An artist’s advice

Leja is quick to encourage others. “If you have a passion and think you can’t do it, pursue it anyway. If I could start from nothing, make a full business out of it and get to do what I am passionate about every day, I think you can do anything you want if you have the mindset,” she declared.

Purchase Ali Leja art

Leja’s work can be purchased in several galleries: Marguerite’s on Dresden; Julep Farms in Dillard; High Country Art in Blue Ridge; Viola’s Market on St. Simon’s Island; Studio Gallery in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Anthea Le Jardin in Watersound, Florida; Camellia Art Gallery on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Bud Floral and Home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“I send gallery owners pictures and let them choose. Julep Farms loves the cocktails, cigars and animals. Marguerite’s likes florals and cotton,” Leja reported. “Hat ladies do great at the beach. I know what each gallery has in mind.”

Find Leja’s artwork at alilejaart.com and on Instagram, @alilejaart.