Meet Mack Wilson-Leigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mack Wilson-Leigh. 

Mack, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Whenever people ask me this question I usually answer it with I started drawing when I was little and just kept ongoing. Honestly, though it started when I moved here from Chicago back in 2018. 

Yes, before I moved here I did get a degree in illustration at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. I also did do little art projects here and there, but I never tried to make it a viable business venture. Or even a regular source of income until I moved to the Triangle Area. 

I was determined to make a real go at being an artist so I viewed the major move from Chicago to Durham NC as a fresh start. I started going to art shows and checking out different events. I got my big chance to be part of an art community when I found Imurj in downtown Raleigh. I ended up taking over the Figure Drawing event “Drink and Draw at the beginning of 2019 and it took off. I was able to increase the overall patronage from 9 to almost 40. By the beginning of 2020, We had to tell artists were at capacity. 

Also, while this was happening, I completed my first Album cover for Artist Acisse Jay which was a huge boost to my ego. My artwork was being hung in coffee shops and bars and it was amazing. 

When the pandemic hit, I ended up becoming one of the members of Colab. Which is an artist group that focuses on collaborative art. We have created wonderful murals and continue to inspire e each other to grow. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I mean one of the biggest struggles is to get the idea out of your own head that art is just a hobby. That you can’t make money out of it. It’s a constant struggle to follow your dreams. There are always more people saying no than saying go for it. 

Society tells us that art is something that isn’t important. But look around you today and imagine how boring or how bland life would be without it. There would be no advertisements, no logos, no murals, just beige. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most known for my pencil portrait drawing actually. I have always had a love of graphite and paper. I am starting to expand back into digital work and painting again, but there is a certain feel of the pencil to the paper that I just can’t seem to get over. 

Art is subjective so honestly, I can’t tell what sets me apart from most artists. People always want to know what’s makes me different. All I can say is how I view what my goal is. When I am drawing a portrait or and individual I am making an attempt to capture a part of them that only I can see. something special. I want the likeness to be just right. 

How do you think about luck?
I mean luck played a huge role. It is really about knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time, but there is another element as well will power and courage. I had to have the will to make the changes in my life. The ones I wanted to see happen, and the courage to take a chance on the opportunities that present themselves. Yes, luck made the opportunities available but I had to take them. 

Contact Info:

• Email: mackartist@gmail.com
• Website: Mackleighart.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mackartist386