Sourpuss Clothing Artist Series: Lekit Im
This season we worked with some really amazing artists, and we wanted to delve a little deeper into their world and let you get to know them a little better! First up is California-based artist Lekit Im, whom we met through our call to artists last year. As soon as I went on her website and saw her piece, "El Beso Mortal" I knew we had to work together. She has provided us with some extraordinary art, and we are so excited to be collaborating with her again for Fall 2015! You can get your paws on these great tees here: The Ram and The Fox.
 What made you want to work with Sourpuss?
Sourpuss Clothing is a company that I find myself shopping at, a lot. I just love that Sourpuss supports alternative/independent brands. That is what attracted me to this company, as an independent artist who also has day job, this struck a chord with me. And since we both like to walk off the beaten path, we might as well do it with some good company.
What's your favorite subject to draw/paint? What are you the most inspired by?
I was raised in a household of women and girls, that’s who I interacted with and observed, so my subject is mainly, if not exclusively, girls. Let’s start with my mother: A petite Thai woman, strong-willed but kind, a devout Buddhist, fiercely independent, and has a love for horror movies. I was introduced to horror movies and tv shows by her when I was about 4 or  5, young, but I LOVED it. The horror genre is really popular in Thailand, which probably has something to do with the culture and prevalent mythos of demons, ghosts, ironic punishment and reincarnation. That is probably where my fascination with darker themes originate from. I had older sisters to look up to, so a lot of feminine aspects creep into my work as well.
In general, things that inspire me on a daily basis is nature. Drag Queens. TV. Cartoons. Movies. Bad movies. Fantasy. Subcultures. Pseudoscience. Other artists. An inner drive to be relevant in this world. Universal fears. Things that go bump in the night.
What artists do you look up to - dead or alive?
That is a hard question to answer. I worship The Masters (Goya, Caravaggio, Durer) but I love contemporary art as well;  Abstract art, pop-surrealism, street art, comic books, movie poster art, and graphic/packaging design. Sometimes I’ll read an amazing book that plants lots of creative seeds in my heart and brain.
Where can we see more of your work?
You can see more of my work online at ArtByLekit.com and also on Instagram @lekitlekit, I mostly use that for progress shots, selfies, and a lot of pictures of my boston terrier.
Do you have any exciting projects/shows coming up?
I make work and vend frequently for the Los Angeles burlesque troupe Devils Playground. They are infamous for their Star Girls Burlesque at The Dragonfly as well as other “geek-themed” shows. These are definitely the droids you are looking for.
I also contribute to an independent zine based in LA: Brain Damage Zine, grab a free issue by emailing BrainDamageZine@gmail.comThis year I have a few exhibitions lined up: A One Night Stand on February 21 at Salon de la Plaza in Los Angeles, as well as an amazing Luchador show, LA BULLA, April 11, at Plaza de la Raza in Los Angeles.
