Laura L. Leatherwood
Pen & Ink Magic
Jurupa Valley, CA
Creativity is always a journey of exploring! – Pen & Ink Magic artist, Laura L. Leatherwood
Early Beginnings
I had a love of art early on and graduated from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). I earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Fine Art.
I continued my education in fine art at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). I completed additional lower and upper division art coursework.
While I was in junior college, I was honored with being selected for the gallery opening piece. It was called “Fusion” and was the main gallery exhibit. I continued to show work in student galleries at both Mount San Antonio College, and later at California State University, Fullerton.
Founding Pen & Ink Magic
Pen & Ink Magic was founded on Valentine’s Day, 2007, a day of love and optimism. My kids were growing older and I decided to start a creative home business where I could still share time with them.
Evolution
I have always been an artist who has worn many hats. I have always enjoyed taking on new challenges and fitting together new puzzles. Therefore, I did not limit my business to just one niche. Instead, I offered fine art, digital art, graphic arts, professional photographs, and photo enhancements.
My Current Design Tastes
To describe my design tastes, I like to think of myself as a mixed media artist in a modern sense. I prefer to join traditional art mediums with the technology of the current digital age. Therefore, I can combine elements of each medium in my designs.
Recent Design Projects
A few years back, a shoe manufacturer selected two of my designs for production. Unfortunately, they transformed into a print-on-demand site and were acquired by another company.
Next, I helped design a mermaid-themed site with a client. Through this site, I was able to sell T-shirts, wall art, and numerous other beach-related gift items.
Finally, I was invited to design T-shirts for Merch by Amazon based on my online portfolio.
Today, I sell images and products using my designs or photographs. Commissions are available by request.
Recent Achievements
In 2014, I entered an online design contest for the company called The Republic of Tea. I earned second place in the 2014 Darjeeling Tea Tin Design Contest.
Since then, I have earned numerous design awards on a print-on-demand website called Pixels.
In 2018, I entered a coloring book contest and won an honorable mention in the “2018 Rebelle Coloring Book Contest” for the company Smith Micro.
In November 2019, I began working as a global artist with VIDA and was honored the first position on their landing page for the better part of a year. By December, I have many best selling items, been featured in numerous collections, and have aa limited edition mask featured on their website.
Last year I won the cover contest for the 2020 Spring edition of the Top Women in the Pet Industry magazine. It is created by the Women in the Pet Industry Network.
VIDA & Co. selected a tie dye design to feature as a limited edition mask among a handful of other designers. As of Oct. 19, 2021, it has sold 743 times.
Summary
Experienced Freelance Graphic Designer with a demonstrated history of working in the fine art industry. Skilled in Color, Web Design, Brand Design, Adobe Photoshop, and User Experience Design. Strong arts and design professional with a Bachelor of Arts – BA focused in Liberal Arts and Sciences/ Liberal Studies (Fine Art Concentration) from California State University-Long Beach.
Experience
Pen & Ink Magic Artist/Owner
February 2007 – Present
Jurupa Valley, CA
Professional Digital Design Services
It is the goal of Pen & Ink Magic to provide professional online design services. We strive to present our completed project goals with the highest quality, prompt service, and a competitive fee structure. We work remotely with clients, worldwide.
Creative Design
Pen & Ink Magic can help to reach your marketing goals with graphic designs that get you to your marketing destination. Several areas of these design services include corporate branding, marketing collateral materials, and promotional materials for employees and/or clients.
Playful Illustrations
Another area of Leatherwood’s expertise is in illustration. Leatherwood can design book covers, book illustrations, and create concept character development. The art can be created through traditional art methods or modern digital art.
Photo: Painting, Restoration, Retouch
The third area of Pen & Ink Magic services is the photo section. It contains photo painting, photo restoration, photo retouch, and product photography services. Leatherwood is an advanced pixel master and uses current pixel software to push your image further.
Clients
Cheryl Olmstead, Web Writing Services
Multiple Contracts – Graphic Designer & Photo Painter
September 2012 – Present
Killeen/Temple, Texas Area
Services provided: Ongoing graphic design services, publishing, book jacket design, book title illustration, ebook formatting, branding, business cards, marketing services, corporate gifts, client designs, T-shirt design
Julie Carkin, Client
Multiple Contracts – Graphic Designer & Photo Retoucher December 2013 – Present
Greater Los Angeles Area
Services provided: Seasonal Christmas cards, photo retouching
Craig LaMantain Photography
Multiple Contracts – Photo Retouch & Restoration
March 2014 – Present
Beaverton, Oregon
Services provided: Ongoing photo retouching portraits, photo restoration, digitally painting photographs for gifts
Dr. Kim Bloomer, Aspenbloom Pet Care
Multiple Contracts – Graphic Designer
July 2016 – August 2018
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Services provided: Badge/seal, newsletter header, podcast icons, branding
Dr. Jeannie Thomason, Natural Rearing Breeders Association
Multiple Contracts – Graphic Designer
July 2016 – October 2017
Cottonwood, CA
Services provided: Ongoing graphic design services, branding
John 14-6 Ministries, Inc.
Multiple Contracts – Illustrator
September 2012 – November 2015
Copperas Cove, TX
Services provided: Business card design, profile pictures, branding, publishing, book jacket design, multiple book cover illustrations, e-book formatting, T-shirt design
Source Refrigeration & HVAC
Contractor – Graphic Designer
February 2008 – October 2009
Anaheim
Services provided: Collateral marketing materials including trade show booths, advertisements, business cards, calendar design cover, magnets, stickers, training catalog, pull-up banners, table-top banners, fax sheets, stationery, kiosk display, postcards, training schedules, maps, photo manipulation projects
Education
Additional Coursework
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Additional lower/upper division art coursework necessary to apply to a Master’s in Fine Art at Cal State University, Fullerton · (2001)
CBEST
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) · (1994)
Bachelor of Arts
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
BA, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies · (1994)
Associate of Arts
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
AA, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies · (1990)
Skills
Color theory, drawing, composition, form, graphic design, illustration, lighting, painting, photography, technical drawing, typography and lettering, vector-based design
Software
Adobe Creative Cloud
Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Photoshop
Affinity
Designer, Photo, Publisher
Corel Painter
Microsoft Office
Excel, PowerPoint, Word
Fine Art Mediums
Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting
Specialties
Custom Digital Painting
Airbrushing, Custom Art Projects, Custom Pet Portrait, Custom Portrait, Digital Art,
Digital Drawing, Digital Painting, Digital Photo Painting, Digital Illustration, Digital Watercolor, Drawing. Embellishing Photos, Fantasy Portraits, Mixed Media, Painting, Paintography, Photo Composites, Portraits, Watercolor
Photo Retouching
Collages, Embellishments, Enhancements, Restorations, Touch-ups
Pen & Ink Magic 