Meet Lehna Huie

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lehna Huie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lehna below.

Hi Lehna, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

I feel divinely inspired by all that surrounds me. I am constantly captivated by how nature interacts with us and the world. Each season brings new growth and potential to embrace. So often, we forget that we too are a part of nature’s cycles. These cycles help us understand our interconnectedness with the world.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Diasporic histories inform my art, which is rooted in my Jamaican-American and Afro-Caribbean heritage. I am grateful for an artistic practice that is grounded in remembrance and history. My work incorporates plants, fibers, paint, found items, earth, healing herbs, and written prayers that hold personal meaning.

My sanctuary of healing and imagination is my studio space. It’s an extensive state of mind and energy, transcending space and time in numerous ways. Creating art brings me joy and centers me. My art is made using different methods, including painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, performances, and installations. I am grateful to continue to share my work in cultural institutions across the U.S., Europe, and in the Caribbean. It brings me joy that people resonate with the work and value how I use materials, tell stories, and connect with community.

As an arts educator and advisor with a focus on mentorship, I am always excited about empowering opportunities to foster transformative exchange between various intergenerational and cultural communities. I find that my artwork intersects naturally with my interest in preserving and uplifting artists’ stories.

With a holistic approach, I bring perspectives of empathy, rigor, and vision to how I engage with other artists and all people. I seek to honor artistic legacies while building new experiences for fellowship and dialogue across differences.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Alchemy is one area of knowledge I am grateful to develop an awareness of. There is no formula for it, but it requires balance. I am thankful that through discipline and practice; I have learned to translate traditional stories and symbolism into material from my voice. I want to share my family story and create a space for others to share theirs.

My work is a dialogue between the divine and nature. I conceptualize my art through observing my connection to the environment, fueled by curiosity and eco-spirituality. I feel spiritually and creatively balanced in the wilderness: on hikes, in forests, or near rivers.

Sharing across generations and deep listening give me peace.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Learning to slow down and move at my pace has been a growth area for me this past year. The practice of giving myself more time to just be – helps me find my purpose and align with my path. The gift of stillness has come with great lessons and awakenings within my personal life and creative practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LehnaHuie.com
• Instagram: @Lehnahuie
• Facebook: Art by Lehna Huie

Image Credits

Image Credit – Dani Lopez
Image Credit – Lehna Huie