We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Victoria Leigh Poplaski. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Victoria Leigh below.
Victoria Leigh, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I look at being different as a blessing. How boring would this world be if we all walked, talked, looked, and dressed the same. Sounds like a full blown nightmare of a Truman show simulation to me. Not only being an artist, but having it as my career is definitely not what your hear in your day to day. I always know if I’m gunna vibe with someone based off of their reaction post “so what do you do for work?”.
I can immediately read the judgment in their eyes no matter how hard they try to fake it OR pure, genuine excitement when they wanna hear more.
Thankfully, I have that security to take on any judgment or comment to follow. But thats with anything in life. As long as you’re so true to yourself and don’t feel the need to put on any performance based on your audience, there’s no one that could temper with that.
Capitalizing on your differences in a room is what will set you aside from the next person walking in and make the gravitations easier. I’ll never try to show off or sell my artwork to the person giving me the stank after telling them what I do. On the other hand, the person that was so stoked to hear more will share that same appreciation that I do for the industry. There’s gunna be a much more genuine, meaningful, and fulfilling conversation. They’ll be the one with that potential job, or be the one to say your name in the next room of opportunities. You’ve just gotta recognize the difference.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Victoria Leigh Popaski, the artist behind VLPOPART. My art business was founded in October 2021 after beginning to paint more intently during the covid pandemic in 2020.
I’ve worked with elite restaurants and individuals, mainly in NJ/NY. But, you can find commissioned works such as canvases across the states.
In my eyes, theres nothing more exciting than being a creative. The sky’s the limit and the possibilities as far as creations are endless.
I’ve been fortunate enough to tack a number of cool jobs and experiences under my belt in the short time that I’ve been in the industry. Such as painting luxury sports cars, auctioning a painting at the New York Stock Exchange, working with world renowned powerhouses such as Philipp Plein for NYFW, the culinary geniuses behind pastaRAMEN, and doing a live painting at Caesars Palace in Vegas, to name a few.
Such jobs have resulted to mentions in coverage such as Forbes and the NY Post.
Opportunities like these keep me fired up for the next one to come, all while doing what I love.
As far as getting opportunities I recommend any creative to unapologetically put their works out for others to see.
Use all of the possible resources around you. Social media is where I began posting my work and gaining some traction. From there, you begin to build connections. Throughout the process, I recommend to stay true to what you enjoy creating while also taking on challenging jobs that may get you outside you comfort zone. Sometimes you need to be thrown a wrench and make it up as you go. The creative world could be scary, because you need to be vulnerable by putting yourself out there. And even more scary: putting your works out there. In that same breath, the creative world is also insanely forgiving. I say this because there are essentially no rules. If you love what you’re creating, I can promise that there are others out there that will love it as well. You will find your people in due time.
In my case specifically, I explain my style to be pop art with a graffiti street art flare. My typical mediums are acrylic and spray paints. It took some trial, error and experimenting but I can happily say that I’ve found my niche and what I enjoy creating most.
I recently opened a studio storefront in Bergen County New Jersey. I have goals to expand by capitalizing on potential collaborations, sponsorships and maximizing by offering items such as poster prints and clothing merch of my works.
I’m gunna continue to have fun with this and dive in head first figuring it out as I go!
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?
Consistency is definitely top of the list. Regardless of reactions or kickback to specific works, you’ve gotta keep your foot on the gas. Continue to create and continue to post your work regardless of how defeated you may feel some days. I’ve learned to not have so much expectation for one piece of work, over another. Thats the beauty behind being a creative. It’s all expressive. You quickly realize that everyone has different taste. What you may think to be your worst work, could be someones favorite. Lean into it and remain consistent. You’ll rarely fail with that mentality. People recognize the grind and form an appreciation for it.. If it still feels unrecognized, you’re still fueling that outlet of yours and doing something you love.
On the flip side, be sure to take note of those positive reactions when they do come. Then work off of it; while also staying true to what you enjoy creating most. Its all about balance.
Humility will be my second. I’ve always been taught to be aware of your worth but to also remain humble no matter how big the achievement. One of my favorite quotes is to “keep your head up in failure and head down in success”.
Lastly, Gratitude. It’s super important to reflect and remain grateful for where you’ve come and more importantly, who has supported you along the way.
I tend to get in ruts, creative blocks etc.. When I feel that I need some grounding I’ll smack myself back to reality, take a look at what’s been built by lil ol me, and how proud my younger self would be. You tend to lose sight in the day to day but when you look back a year, 5 years it lights that fire back under your ass to keep hustling. Which circles us right back to consistency consistency consistencyyyy
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents were most impactful by being present.
I am so fortunate so say that I have been blessed with two incredible individuals that lead by example. As you get older, reality hits and you start to see life much more clearly. The good, the bad, who people really are, why they act or react in the ways that they do.
It’s a beautiful thing, that I can still look up to my parents at the age of 27; see and understand them for everything that they are, and still be so proud to call them mine.
I’ve learned hard work, integrity, humility, self sufficiency, generosity and so much more from my parents lead. They found the balance of teaching those traits but also encouraging my sisters and I to take on the world.
These qualities have allowed me to find success in an industry that is not always the easiest to excel in, and make a career out of.
So shout out to all of the rents encouraging their kids to be different, take chances, and capitalize on their talents while still keeping those morals in check. I feel very fortunate and will continue to work for what I’m intended to make of this.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vlpopart.com
- Instagram: @vlpopartofficial
