Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Khounsombath.
Hi Leslie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Kirkland, WA to Lao immigrants.
Both my maternal and paternal families migrated to America after the Secret War of Laos.
My parents had split when I was 5 years old and ceased to communicate with one another. I do not resent them/their parenting whatsoever, rather I understand them as young refugees with untreated PTSD, in a new country restarting wealth, without public acknowledgement of how they came to migrate here, as the war in Laos was primarily kept a secret from the public.
I was raised my father who soon re-married. In retrospect, as a child, one thing that sticks out to me is my own defiance. I did not adhere to a typical “Asian Woman” role, actually I resented them. This included; lack of excitement for domestic chores, (cooking, cleaning) and being agreeable, easily persuaded. I have always had a drum of my own to beat, for better or for worse.
I grew up a latch-key kid. Stealing food or necessities like deodorant to get me by. My parents were so busy working or resting, sometimes I would not see them for days despite living in the same home. In high school I began serial dating as a means of survival and stability. I see this now, but would not have understood that at the time.
Fast forward a few years, after accumulating my Associate’s Degree – I had been battling an eating disorder that had gotten more severe at the time. I had struggled with this my entire life, and would call it a generational wound being passed down and down. It had gotten so severe to the point of agoraphobia. So I had put myself into therapy, and into eating disorder treatment.
This was the start of everything, In treatment, not only was I learning to eat again, but I was learning myself. I was opening my wounds (which hurt. And everything fell apart before putting things back together). Learning how to establish boundaries and regulate my emotions, questioning my internal dialogue. This changed it all.
As years passed, with inevitable highs and lows. At one point ending up poor and homeless for a couple of months, couch-surfing from a stranger who eventually became my close friend.
I began making silly, artistic protest signs during Spring 2025. I knew it was not “productive” by society’s standards, but creating was the only thing that kept my light on. So,
I just kept doing it. I found that, with each art piece I created, a synchronicity would occur. For example, my first intentional creation of art, “The Lovers” (pictured), I had worked on it in an art third-space/gallery, Lamplighters in Olympia, WA. The owner had walked by me and suggested I hang it up in the gallery, street-front. I was flabbergasted once. And then twice when it took only a week to sell.
These synchronicities still occur to me to this day, almost a year into intentionally creating art. I consider it a sign from the Universe, or my paternal Grandmother, Bounleuth Khounsombath, that I am on the right path. This is not a spark coming from a desire to be famous, or have infinite riches, rather it is my most authentic way to communicate my truth, it keeps me alive, and helps me feel that I am fulfilling my purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the struggles include:
Entering eating disorder treatment at age 23. As life was dictated by my anorexia.
Following this I learned to establish boundaries within my relationships, leading to family estrangement.
Shortly after this, I was with my roommate, Jeremiah (27), while he passed away unexpectedly. I immediately moved into a new home where I lived alone, causing financial struggle.
When I felt safe enough in my new home, new memories locked in my vault resurfaced of child sexual abuse from a family member. When I restarted therapy for this, it explained the theme of my domestically violent relationships.
I express this not to gain pity but to be honest about my own hardship, hoping that coming forward will help another not feel alone.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a mixed media artist based in Olympia, WA. I work with many mediums – any that spark my own curiosity. Not short of stained glass making, wood burning, paper-quilling, painting, jewelry beading, and fiber arts. I am most proud of my current show, “Lao and Thailand: Between Roots and Becoming”, alongside artist Michelle Boucher, at Jade Choe Gallery at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center. I am most proud of the resilience of my own story, amidst the many opportunities I’ve had to choose bad and evil, I’ve chose good and healing.
What sets me apart from others – I’m not sure. I don’t believe in pedal-stooling myself or others. I firmly believe everyone has the capacity to be great – and stand for what they believe in.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Liberating Jasper – my eating disorder treatment center in Tacoma, WA. Which taught me not only to eat, but where I began having my own voice. Where I was safe enough to explore my likes and dislikes.
Tricia Hersey, author of, “Rest is Resistance”, her teachings help me regulate my guilt when I am not productive. Reminding me that my productivity in this capitalistic world is not the equation of my self-worth.
My paternal Grandmother, Bounleuth Khounsombath, who carried her four children across the Mekong River during the Secret War of Laos, in solidarity. With a spirit so kind, I have always wondered the cost it took to be so peaceful, after experiencing a time so horrifying.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.groovy.bloom
