The year is 1992, the scene is set at Cozy Care Dayhome, and 4-year-old Charissa Leitch embarks on an artistic journey with a mesmerizing discovery of collage art. This early fascination stemmed from the TV show“Art Attack” teaching Charissa to work with paper, stickers and fabric scraps. This laid the foundation for a life dedicated to crafting narratives from disparate elements, creating cohesive and visually captivating stories. Her passion for melding the found into the unforgotten has been a guiding light throughout her artistic endeavors.
After graduating from the Blanche Macdonald Centre in 2011, Charissa specialized in makeup artistry. This education carved a path for her into the realms of fashion, fantasy, body paint, and creative photoshoot management, leading to a fulfilling decade-long career as a freelance makeup artist. Her work in makeup artistry, particularly within fashion and fantasy, allowed her to bring to life the imaginative concepts that danced in her mind.
The year 2014 marked a significant turning point in Charissa’s artistic journey as she delved into the art of screen printing. This self-taught skill not only expanded her artistic repertoire but also led her to a role in a textile print shop, blending her creative flair with the detailed precision of clothing decoration. It was a harmonious fusion of her artistic sensibilities with practical applications.
Her quest for creative expression continued to evolve, and in 2016, Charissa embraced the blossoming world of photography and creative editing applications. This new venture enabled her to capture and enhance moments through the lens, adding another layer to her multifaceted career.
After graduating from the Blanche Macdonald Centre in 2011, Charissa specialized in makeup artistry. This education carved a path for her into the realms of fashion, fantasy, body paint, and creative photoshoot management, leading to a fulfilling decade-long career as a freelance makeup artist. Her work in makeup artistry, particularly within fashion and fantasy, allowed her to bring to life the imaginative concepts that danced in her mind.
The year 2014 marked a significant turning point in Charissa’s artistic journey as she delved into the art of screen printing. This self-taught skill not only expanded her artistic repertoire but also led her to a role in a textile print shop, blending her creative flair with the detailed precision of clothing decoration. It was a harmonious fusion of her artistic sensibilities with practical applications.
Her quest for creative expression continued to evolve, and in 2016, Charissa embraced the blossoming world of photography and creative editing applications. This new venture enabled her to capture and enhance moments through the lens, adding another layer to her multifaceted career.
In 2021, Charissa and her neighbor Pat embarked on an inspiring journey of collaboration, forming an "Art-nership" that birthed weekly art jams. Initially cradled within the cozy confines of Pat or Charissa’s living rooms, these sessions quickly outgrew their beginnings and found a new home in a spacious warehouse. Dubbed "Agains da Grain," the collective convened every Tuesday night for what was fondly referred to as an "Arty, not a Party." This convergence of creative minds fostered an environment rich with collaboration and camaraderie, laying the groundwork for invaluable friendships. It was within this nurturing community that Charissa found the affirmation and confidence to proudly embrace the title of an artist.
The call of her first love, collage art, remained strong, after completing a project where she recycled old fairy tale books into a new collection of fables she refocused her talents with a renewed commitment to sustainability and upcycling. This shift represented not just a return to her roots but a deeper exploration of her values as an artist.
The call of her first love, collage art, remained strong, after completing a project where she recycled old fairy tale books into a new collection of fables she refocused her talents with a renewed commitment to sustainability and upcycling. This shift represented not just a return to her roots but a deeper exploration of her values as an artist.
Charissa founded Lizard Queen Conceptuals as a manifestation of her multidisciplinary approach to art, rooted in the philosophies of things are not what they seem and you do the best you can with what you've got. This distinctive ethos, combined with her unique perspective shaped by sensory sensitivities, has propelled her passion for creating through upcycling. Her artistic practice revolves around transforming recycled paper and found objects into assemblage collage art. These mixed-media works are not just art; they are stories told through the convergence of paper and found materials, exploring themes of storytelling, surrealism, and linear perspective.
In 2023, after composing an art grant application, Charissa experienced a profound realization of the power and potential of grant writing. This momentous insight led her to pivot towards pursuing grant writing, consulting, and visual arts as a full-time career. Recognizing grant writing as an intricate form of storytelling, Charissa found profound satisfaction in leveraging this skill to forge connections and open doors for fellow artists. This endeavor is not a departure from her past but a continuation of a deeply rooted passion for uplifting the artistic community.
Having served as a creative director for numerous years, Charissa has been at the forefront of managing and styling conceptual photography and fashion shoots, hosting community art jams, and creating live painting and exhibition opportunities for her peers. Her multifaceted support for the artistic community, which also extends to providing tax and bookkeeping assistance, underscores her commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for artists. This new chapter in her career harmoniously weaves together her myriad talents and passions, further establishing her as a pivotal figure in nurturing and advocating for artistic expression.
As the artist behind Lizard Queen Conceptuals, Charissa’s mission transcends the creation of visually stunning pieces. It is about sparking thoughts, evoking emotions, and inspiring viewers through the power of recycled materials. Her work is a testament to the beauty of repurposing and the boundless possibilities of imagination.
Through her website, www.lizardqueenconceptuals.com, and her Instagram @lizardqueenconcept, Charissa invites the world into her realm of artistic exploration, where each piece serves as a reminder of the impact we can make by seeing the value in what is often overlooked.
Through her website, www.lizardqueenconceptuals.com, and her Instagram @lizardqueenconcept, Charissa invites the world into her realm of artistic exploration, where each piece serves as a reminder of the impact we can make by seeing the value in what is often overlooked.