Meet Deann Wiley

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Deann Wiley again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Deann, thanks for joining us again. Just to level set a bit for folks who may have missed our last interview together, can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is DeAnn Wiley, and I’m the founder of DeeLaShee Artistry, a creative brand dedicated to crafting vibrant, inclusive art that celebrates Black culture, joy, and community. As a Black, queer, disabled woman, I bring my lived experiences into every piece, whether it’s a custom illustration, a children’s book, or a puzzle featuring my original art.

What sets me apart is my passion for authentic representation and storytelling. My work centers on creating illustrations where Black people can see themselves reflected with pride and beauty. I’ve had the privilege of illustrating multiple children’s books, including my own, Homegrown, which celebrates self-love and identity.

My journey has been deeply personal and fulfilling. With a background in psychology and a love for storytelling, I merged my passions into art that connects with people on an emotional level. Through years of honing my craft and sharing my vision, I’ve built a business that’s not just about art but about empowerment and community.

Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
Since we last connected, life and work have been a whirlwind of growth and creativity. My art business, DeeLaShee Artistry, continues to grow in exciting ways. I’ve been deep in the creative process, illustrating a children’s book called Hazel’s Best Day, which celebrates disability pride and accessibility. This project has been close to my heart, as a Black disabled woman myself who wished she’d seen more books featuring disabled kids. I also finished my second author-illustrator book titled, The Double Dutch Queen”, which centers a young Black girl’s journey with building confidence and being okay with trying new things.

On the business side, I’ve been focused on making art my full time career. It’s been a challenge but I’m dedicated to making it happen! With a strong support system, I’ve been able to take more risks and advance myself. I just recently started designing products like clothing, blankets, stationary and housewares.

One of the most exciting things is I’ve just won a Stonewall Honor for my illustration of the book, Marley’s Pride, authored by Joëlle Retener!

There have been some challenges. Learning my role as an author and illustrator in the children’s book world has been tough at times. Understanding how to market myself has been a learning curve, but I’m committed to being better about unashamedly sharing my art!

Looking ahead, I’m most excited about the release of my second book, The Double Dutch Queen, and really establishing myself as a full time artist.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: The Greatest Showman

Favorite Book: Flowers in the Attic by V.C Andrews

Favorite TV Show: A Different World

Sweet or Savory: Savory

Mountains or Beach: Beach, definitely

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Cheerleading and swimming

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: I wanted to be a psychologist!

French Fries or Onion Rings: French fries!!

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Not a cartoon, but Degrassi was my favorite show!

Favorite Childhood movie: The King and I

When you look back on your life, what are three things you expect to be proud of?
I expect to be proud of persevering through grad school to earn my masters degree in counseling psychology. I expect to be proud of making the switch from pursuing becoming a psychologist in order to do art full time. That was one of the scariest moments for me, giving up a “normal”, stable career to do art full time. However, the joy I get from art is unmatched. And lastly, I expect to be proud of my commitment to representing my community as authentically and beautifully as I can. I hope for a long and fulfilling career ahead.

Website: https://Www.DeeLaSheeArtistry.com

Instagram: DeeLaShee Art

Twitter: @DeelaSheeArt

Facebook: DeeLaShee Artistry

Image Credits
All taken my me