Meet Leah Diament | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leah Diament and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, why did you pursue a creative career?
To be frank I never wanted to be an artist, It was at the bottom of my list of things to do with my life. I knew that being an artist meant being broke because what phrase is more prominent than “starving artist” when you think of a career in the arts? Fortunately, fate and the complete inability to sit still led me to the Denver arts scene and the many wonderful artists and gallery’s within it. At first it was terrifying to show my work to strangers and then exhilarating as many wonderful people in our community showed me the ropes. Walker Fine Arts and Colorado Photographic Arts Center were both integral to my creative career. Although art is not my full time job it is my after work activity, my hobby, my community, and the thing that get my rate up and my mind sparking.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is this living breathing thing that bounces around my head all day. It’s bright splashes of color and illuminated city scenes. It is, at least in my mind, the world a little brighter or more honest. That seems like a cop out when we are talking about branding and art, but my process is too scattered to define it any closer. The art of experimentation and discovering something new is what brings those ideas to life. I love playing with alternative printing processes and attempting to push the boundaries of what a process has been used for or with. Attempting to push the boundaries has been a scary thing for me. On the one hand I very much want to stand out and be original, say something meaningful, make an impact. On the other hand I don’t want people to be angry at what I’m saying or to be judged. People who ignore those standards and say controversial things in their art are my heroes. I hope one day I can be brave enough to do that. I have gone a ton of different directions with my favorite process, Cyanotype, and am very excited to say that three of my series will be displayed in different locations for this March for Month of Photography. I am honored to have one of my pieces that will be apart of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival projected on to the clock tower in Down Town Denver between March 1st and 13th, my first conceptual show at 40 West Arts on Desensitization opening on the 5th, and a show at Spectra art space with some of my favorite artists.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, lets pretend it’s not covid for the sake of having a full list, but typically I would take someone up to the mountains to hike or climb (sorry no secret spots today), a trip to MCA Denver for one of their B side nights of music on the roof, Drag them off to my favorite Vietnamese spot “Now Pho” go see an interactive art exhibit at Spectra art space, hit up some art openings at 40 West Arts, Take them to eat at The Nile or Osaka Ramen. force feed them Vegan Ice cream from Sweet Cooies or Littleman Ice because it is THE BEST. Of course run around down town to complain about how much the city has changed. Pop over to Corvus Coffee, Breakfast King, and Breakfast Queen for breakfast on different days. Go dancing at Milk Bar till late at night and take another weekend evening for the Mercury Cafe for swing lessons, poetry, and a tarot reading. Last but not least, hang out at my local Bouldering gym Denver Bouldering Club. Oh and also probably a trip to the hot springs 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Walker Fine Arts and Colorado Photographic Arts Center

Website: avagabondsvisual.com

Instagram: avagabondsvisual

Linkedin: Leah Diament

Image Credits
Kyle Huninghake