Digital Alchemist | Artist For Artists
Ernest Leon is a Black American artist, Afrofuturist, and digital alchemist who transcends artistic boundaries. His work is a profound collaboration between himself and the ancestral Spirits who walk alongside him, channeling their untold stories and ancestral wisdom. Ernest's creations serve as visual messages from the Ancestors of the living, reminding descendants of their heritage and inherent power. His artwork serves as a testimony to the perseverance and boundless imagination of Black people, highlighting the various perspectives of their distinct journeys and capturing the essence of their resilient spirit.
Since he was 7 years old, Ernest had always displayed a natural interest in art. Drawing and doodling became his chosen path as he expressed his boundless imagination on any canvas available—notebooks, clothing, the walls at home, and even his own skin—despite occasional reprimands for these artistic excursions. As his artwork gained popularity among his peers, Ernest's entrepreneurial spirit emerged. He seized the opportunity to share his unique artistic gifts for a small fee ranging from $0.25 to $0.50. Word spread like wildfire, and soon classmates lined up to adorn their skin, clothing, and notebooks with Ernest's creative artwork as their own badges of honor. As is often the case when unconventional dreams dare to bloom, adversity reared its head. During a pivotal parent-teacher conference, Ernest's creative pursuits faced skepticism and disapproval, as his teacher raised concerns about his entrepreneurial endeavor. His dreams momentarily stifled under the weight of disapproval as societal expectations sought to confine Ernest's artistic aspirations. Yet, the ember of his passion continued to burn within him, awaiting the opportunity to reignite and flourish once again.
Years later, while in high school, Ernest found a new outlet for his creative expression —digital design. Motivated by the desire to enhance his social media presence, he wished to create distinctive profile pictures that would make his profile stand out among his friend group. In 2006, armed with a borrowed copy of Adobe Photoshop, Ernest dedicated his entire summer to self-guided learning. Countless hours were spent watching online tutorials on Youtube, honing his skills in custom fonts, background removal, retouching, and even face and body swaps. As the summer drew to a close, Ernest unveiled his first design—a labor of love that ignited a burning passion for creating art through the digital realm. Following high school, Ernest’s artistic career experienced another period of dormancy as societal constraints and the widely held notion that art would not bring financial security took hold. Ernest gave in to the belief that choosing a traditional job route was the only way to guarantee a wealthy future since he was trapped by middle-class expectations and Southern standards. He found himself grappling with the weight of mounting student debt and enduring several years of unfulfilled, low-paying jobs that left him feeling disconnected and discontented.
The emergence of the COVID-19 epidemic brought forth an unforeseen twist, casting a gloomy shadow over the world and bringing Ernest to a crossroads once more. He looked to YouTube for ways to make money online after being laid off from his job in IT support, and discovered the option of freelancing his graphic design abilities on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. As Ernest's talent blossomed, his wife discovered his talent and enlisted his services for her business. This experience motivated Ernest to establish his own graphic design business, with each project allowing his designs to evolve and elevate. Yet, his artistic pursuits were often overshadowed by the demands of life, self-doubt and the need for financial stability. The 9-to-5 grind posed a constant threat to Ernest's creative spirit; however, destiny once again intervened. Ernest found himself facing two layoffs, each occurring during separate stints of battling with COVID-19. The periods were blessings in disguise as he found himself granted a precious gift—time and space to dedicate to his craft. In those quarantine days, a divine encounter with his late mother's spirit whispered words of wisdom and purpose into his soul. Ernest realized that his art held the key not only to his personal liberation but also to the potential for generational wealth and empowerment.
Digital art, which Ernest had viewed as merely a hobby and as an escape from the difficulties of daily life, now has a new importance for him. He was driven to review his graphic design abilities as a result of the world's uncertainty and his promise to provide for his family. Drawing strength from the supportive words of his wife, the message left by his mother, and the loving encouragement he received from the art community, Ernest embarked on a journey of rediscovery. He reflected upon the testimonies of past clients and the joy that creating art brought him. With renewed determination, Ernest delved deeper into his craft. With each creation, he delved deeper into the realm of Afrofuturism, where STEM and Black culture meet at the crossroads of the ethers. His art became a vessel for ancestral connections and spiritual reverence.
Ernest's artistic journey serves as a testament to resilience and the power of embracing one's true passion. Emerging from a period of unfulfillment and low-paying jobs, he rediscovered that the pursuit of artistic fulfillment was not merely a form of self-expression but a pathway to genuine happiness and purpose. Infused with passion and purpose, his artistry weaves together the tapestry of the Black experience, reminding us all of the greatness that lies within and the potential to rise above adversity.
