We recently had the chance to connect with Leroy Miranda Jr and have shared our conversation below.
Leroy, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What battle are you avoiding?
Recently, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I haven’t been to war. I am not a veteran. I’m an artist human being. Also someone who experience trauma. From being a child from being an adult trauma, can happen to anybody in.. I started up therapy again my first therapist said to me you’re good Leroy. Call me when you need me…. Not all therapist are great.. we adults when we don’t handle our trauma. It is like a disease it is sometime debilitating and we push it back and we do not want to talk about it. I am 37 years old. I don’t know if I ever will get over this. I think the good thing is I am conscious about it now and I’m working through it..
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Leroy Miranda Jr I was born in New Orleans 1988 at old charity hospital. I grew up in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish young kid. I got to see the Bayou got to eat a lot of seafood as I got older. I worked in kitchens learn how to cook, which is one of the most valuable skills. I think anyone could have.. I started making art at the age of 23. I started giving them away to my friends and family. One of my friends got some of my art framed. The frame shop called him and asked who is this Artist to keep on bringing in. I would like to do a solo show. My friend Joseph McReynolds, that is my friend Leroy . So I called him up he said, sent me some photos. I said I ain’t got none. Can I bring some in? That was the beginning of my Artist career that solo show sold out. I had a second one sold half and 27 other pieces to LCMC hospital.. now my artwork is all over this country. Recently, I have been renovating my studio at my house still work in progress. I also have been doing acting, which is a side project. I was on a movie called The Nickel Boys I played a referee. They gave me lines at the end. I am now Sag qualified. I’ve been working with an architect firm call Studio Bka and they have my artwork and one of their spaces call Primary workspace .
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
As I get older, and I understand the diagnosis of PTSD for me some of my behaviors now make sense to me. I do not like crowds and I’m socially awkward and I definitely don’t like to be in a spotlight. I must release the fear that I’ve been holding back older now makes sense to me.
Working through these things, I must release them to move forward to be a better person in this world for others to be inspired by my work. I hope my work brings joy makes people think critically most of all makes us feel loved at the end of the day..
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
There is no doubt that my artwork came into my life to heal me I threw my pain into my canvas. I think of Power as electricity or from a utility company I don’t see it as I hold the power or any other person holds power. The power can be turned off. Let’s just remember that..
I think nature is powerful and I fall in love with nature every day I wake up in it the sun is powerful. The mountains are powerful. The stars are powerful bacteria viruses..
I guess I am a part of nature after all I think we have forgotten that as humans.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I went to go see my framer the other day she said to me who haven’t you pissed off in New Orleans? I really giggled when I read this question I thought of her.
There’s only one Leroy Miranda Jr
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m in the Bayou or in the golf of Mexico or in the mountains of Colorado or North Carolina California anywhere in nature, I’m at peace cities don’t make peace for me unless I’m at a park with nature I know how valuable nature is. We must respect it.!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kitsuneyokia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leroymirandajr?igsh=NHY2YWdiZmphc3U4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16mcyMcQbj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@leroymiranda1764?si=2ZF3tm4ulmNq_tUy
