Kezleigh, Amy Merritt, is a digital artist from Muskoka, Ontario. Her work, which deals with themes like nostalgia, dreams, identity, and mental health, is shaped by her emotions and experiences. In this interview, she reflects on her process of working intuitively, creating multi-panelled structures, and using unique materials like acrylic glass to bring depth to her pieces. She also talks about how the challenges in her life, including her mental health struggles, influence the colours, textures, and shapes of her art. Kezleigh also opens up about the passion and vulnerability behind her creative process, as well as her excitement for further pushing the boundaries of her work with 3D elements.

Kezleigh is a featured artist in our book “The Creative Process.” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

Kezleigh, Amy Merritt, is a new digital media artist from Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Formally trained as a designer, Kezleigh is focused on nostalgia, dreams, and memories. She feels that at the core of every human, a soul is processing what the conscious mind is living. Often working in an abstract timeline, Kezleigh’s art deals with shadow work, identity, and mental health. She works digitally and uses acrylic glass and UV-laser ink as her medium. Bright colours, digitally rendered textures, and organic shapes are shown in multiple panels. Custom work is often site-specific and works with the chosen location seamlessly. Most recently, she was part of the Artist Project in Toronto, ON. She’s been featured in galleries such as the Arta Gallery, Hazelton Fine Art Galleries, The Propeller Art Gallery, and Gallery 1313. She has shown work nationally and internationally. She currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1. What inspired your shift from traditional design to exploring nostalgia, dreams, and memories through digital media?

Design is very commercial based. While very eye-catching and trendy, I felt soulless. After getting into shadow work and after the pandemic, I felt like life was very short. I wanted to explore dreams and express how I saw the world. I feel like I feel in very visceral ways. I found I had a lot to say.

“I’m not interested in creating an illustration. I want to create something that has its own life and power.”

Kezleigh

2. Can you share how your process of working intuitively and in a flow state has shaped the unique, multi-panelled structure of your pieces?

It starts to relieve stress, just creating without structure or a plan. It’s very meditative. It then may evolve into something structured. It may take on a name. It will be added to my external hard drive if it is a strong enough piece. I sit on it for however long it takes until I feel it could be promoted on my socials, and then it may go on my website. My work is organically shaped. I knew I needed to express my work in different shapes and sizes. I felt confined in a square or rectangular piece of canvas. My first pieces were circles, but even circles are confining. I intuitively think about what each piece will be shaped like. I like viewing the space for commission pieces before starting the project. I’m trying to realize the space and feel out the frequencies. I use acrylic glass as my medium for its durability and compatibility with my work. It hovers on the wall, floating seamlessly. Acrylic glass isn’t something my art is on; it’s part of the art itself.

3.   Your work often deals with identity and mental health. How do these themes influence your art’s colours, textures, and shapes?

I’ve struggled with my brain chemistry my entire life. It’s a disease that I’ll have forever, and it’s something I’ve just started to come to terms with. Most of my figurative work is about this struggle and my journey with hopping from one medication to the next. Coming to terms with my mental health diagnosis has me looking inward at my own identity. I’m finding new traits and ways of coping every day. My mood influences the colour of my work. The brighter the piece is, the darker I feel. The texture is influenced by how I’m feeling physically. The rougher, the better. The shape is intuitive or maybe even spiritual. I’m still exploring and discovering myself and my style.

4.   How has your experience showing your art nationally and internationally influenced your creative practice or vision?

I’ve noticed the difference in taste here in Canada vs Europe. I sell more nature-inspired and figurative pieces here in places like Italy. Being an artist is also being a business owner. This is where Amy takes over. She does all the business and administration stuff. Kezleigh gets just to create.

I’ve struggled with my brain chemistry my entire life. It’s a disease that I’ll have forever and it’s something I’ve just started to come to terms with. Most of my figurative work is about this struggle and my journey with hopping from one medication to the next.

Kezleigh

5. What excites you most about incorporating 3D elements and thermoforming into your artwork to create more depth?

The most exciting part would be actually creating one! The upfront cost of making just one piece is a lot. I’m looking forward to having a client up for the task, as I feel it will elevate my work to one more level.

6.  What advice would you give to women artists looking to find their unique voice or evolve their work?  

Never stop! I’ve had a man tell me to my face at an art exhibition that I’m cheating, and my work isn’t real art. It knocked me down a lot, and climbing back up has taken some time. My advice wouldn’t be to be knocked down because it’s inevitable. Someone will always try and sometimes succeed in taking you down. I advise you never to stay down for long and always climb back up.

Kezleigh’s art goes beyond being visually attractive—it’s a heartfelt exploration of identity, mental health, and the subconscious. Her ability to pour her emotions into her work and her creative use of materials like acrylic glass sets her apart as an artist with a unique voice. To learn more about Kezleigh, click the following links to visit her profile.

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