Having two major universities in our Parish has afforded us so many opportunities to witness talent and skills at their finest.
From writers to painters, photographers to web designers, and so much more; both Louisiana Tech and Grambling have attracted some of the brightest and most vibrant creatives to our small corner of the world.
A native of Ryane, Louisiana, Phillip Michael (Mike) LeBlanc first came to Ruston in the Summer of 2005. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Graphic Design from the School of Art at Louisiana Tech. Once gaining his BFA, he moved to Independence, Missouri and pursued work as a freelance designer. After a year in Kansas City, post-Kartrina, he moved back to Ruston with hopes to further his design career and increase his education in the form of a graduate degree. In 2016, he did just that, earning his master’s degree in Mass Communication from Grambling State University.
For most of LeBlanc’s time in Lincoln Parish, he has been employed at Louisiana Tech University. First, as an assistant to the Journalism department as the production manager and overseer of the student newspaper, The Tech Talk, as well as the student magazine, SPEAK. Later, he transitioned into a teaching role as Instructor in what is now the Communication and Media Studies department.
LeBlanc is a communication designer, photographer, videographer, wood worker, and more. Now, however, he is primarily focusing on his photography. He says he has been creating art for most of his life. “As a kid growing up in Rayne, our activities of interest were limited,” Mike recalls. “I found my entertainment in drawing, crafting and woodworking. The arts have stayed with me and sustained me ever since.”
LeBlanc admits that though printed media is not currently in vogue, paper is the center of his areas of interest. He says that when he first started to learn and hone his craft in graphic design and photography, paper was a large part of both processes. Therefore, researching different papers to yield the appropriate result, whether a glossy and vibrant photo paper or matte finish for a catalogue, has always been a part of the process that he thoroughly enjoys. Mike says that he is constantly inspired by the art here in Ruston and the surrounding areas.
Whether it’s fine art or product and packaging design or branding. “If we really think about it, art is everywhere and influences everyone in some way,” he says. LeBlanc says that while he finds inspiration everywhere, some specific artists who have significantly influenced him include painters and fine artists such as Mark Rothko, Mark Bagley, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joey Slaughter, Juile Crews, Emily Ezell, Rebecca Robouché, Vitus Shell and scores of others. Mike says that to be an artist is to inspire and be inspired. He also loves work from graphic designers such as Tad Carpenter, Jake Dugard, and Saul Bass as well as photographers Steve McCurry, Vivian Maier and too many others to list.
“I’m passionate about art because it gave me a purpose early in my life,” says LeBlanc, “I’d be rudderless without the influence and stimulation of art in my life.”
LeBlanc says that he wants other artists to understand that it is important to not get hung up on being good enough or how others see you or your art. He wants to encourage creators to make art no matter what life throws at them. He says whether it’s a source of revenue or not, just make it. As for himself, LeBlanc says he doesn’t really have a process to get in the mood to create, but rather it’s just like most things in life; you have to find the balance.
You can follow Phillip Michael LeBlanc on Instagram at ledailysnap (personal) or at hashtagofficeportraits.
You can also find his work and services at https://tinyurl.com/mws9dt2j or https://calendly.com/blancadvising/blancstudioheadshots.
