Today we’d like to introduce you to Francheska Leon.
Francheska, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello! My name is Francheska Leon and I’m here to share my story with you all! My mother first discovered that I had a hearing problem when I was 4 years old, sitting very close to the T.V. with the volume high. I started wearing hearing aids when I was 5 years old.
This wasn’t always easy in schools. Children are curious and sometimes can be mean towards things they don’t understand. So of course, I was abused and bullied by other kids my age growing up. It finally stops when I pushed one of my bullies in 5th grade. Self-defense!
Growing up through all of that to cope, I drew doodles. Eventually, the doodles became things! Other kids start to notice how good I was and pushes me to draw more.
Fast forward to high school! I put myself in a drawing class as a freshman. My teacher noticed my skills and offered to put me in the Advanced Placement classes and of course, I said yes! He taught me so many techniques and showed me so many artworks that inspired me to strengthen my skills. I also painted with acrylics and oils for the first time under his teachings.
I also started having an American Sign Language interpreter to help me with communications in classes. I learned ASL through my deaf friends in high school and learned the entire language within a year. Before this, I only knew a few simple signs that I sometimes communicate with my mother like “bathroom”, “eat”, “help”, etc. So now I’m fluent with the language which I’m proud of.
Went straight to community college after high school ended and took many art classes that strengthens my skills even further every semester. My mother sat me down and ask what do I want to do with my career?
“Honestly, I have no idea. I thought maybe becoming an artist would be my goal but it’s sometimes hard. There’s still so much to learn.”
So I decided to try something new, making my artworks digital. When I graduated with my Associate’s, I transferred to a University and took graphic design classes. And WOW! Learning Adobe programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, AfterEffects, etc. was amazing and difficult to learn at first but as I get used to it, it started to become a language to be fluent in.
Today, I’ve been creating logos, posters, illustrations, branding, packaging, etc. for clients and companies using my skills that I learned throughout the years.
I still paint about once a month using different mediums but graphic designing takes up a lot of my time especially when I’m still in school. I only hope to rise up even further into my career in the years to come.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely “artist blocks”. When I can’t come up with an idea for an assignment or client, my mind is basically blank. Even when I scroll through inspirations which is tough.
Another thing is procrastination. I dread that word so much since it negatively impacts me as an artist.
So to go through these struggles is one of the worst to have while in creative mode.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Graphic Designer and Artist. I create logos, branding, packaging, illustrations, etc. Basically creating any visual concept digitally.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people get surprised when they learn about me being hard of hearing. It’s not really something that’s surprising to me since I know a lot of deaf/hard-of-hearing artists that does fantastically well in their works. But I guess it’s not common for others?
Pricing:
- $35 – logo (includes 3 concepts to choose from)
- $50 – packaging design
- $75 – website
- $30 – illustrations (Either drawing or digitally, no portraits)
Contact Info:
- Email: Francheskaleondesigns@gmail.com
- Website: https://francheskaleon.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/francheskaleondesigns
Image Credits
Francheska Leon
