Today we’d like to introduce you to Leon Araujo.
Hi Leon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from Toluca, Mexico, and today I’m an artist and creative director based in Ogden, Utah. My work brings together murals, illustration, photography, and video, with a lot of influence from my Latino roots, the places I’ve lived, and the people around me.
I built Noel Creative House as a way to bring those different creative interests together. It’s given me the opportunity to work with local businesses, organizations, and communities, helping them tell their stories while continuing to develop my own artistic voice. Bold colors, cultural references, and playful details have become a big part of how I express myself.
Over time, community has become central to my work. Through murals, community painting days, and projects like Día de los Muertos Utah, I’ve found that I enjoy creating opportunities for people to participate in art as much as I enjoy making it myself. There’s something special about someone walking past a mural and being able to say, “I helped paint that.”
Along the way, I’ve received Ogden’s Emerging Artist Mayor’s Award, created the official artwork for the Ogden Marathon, and been accepted into an artist residency in France. Those milestones mean a lot, but so do the relationships I’ve built here. I’m still growing and figuring things out, and my goal is to keep creating work that feels true to me while opening doors for other artists and bringing more creativity into everyday spaces.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Being self-taught has meant figuring out both the creative work and the business side as I go. There have been gaps in my knowledge, hard lessons, and times when the funding simply wasn’t there.
But I keep showing up. I study, I ask questions, I learn, and I commit to doing things better. I don’t have every answer, but I take responsibility for my growth. Having people trust me with their stories, their spaces, and their ideas keeps me motivated. The challenges are part of my story, and so is the work I put into moving through them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and the founder of Noel Creative House. I specialize in murals and custom illustration, and I also work in photography, video, and creative direction. My work is known for bold colors, playful details, and influences from my Latino culture. I love taking someone’s story or an idea and turning it into something that feels personal to them, whether that’s a wall, a brand, or a short film.
What sets me apart is how I bring people into the process. For my community murals, that can mean listening to people’s stories, gathering their input, and inviting them to help paint. I want the people who use a space every day to see something of themselves in the finished work. Working across different mediums also lets me think beyond the artwork itself: how we document its creation, share its story, and help people connect with it.
I’m proud of creating the official artwork for the Ogden Marathon and receiving Ogden’s Emerging Artist Mayor’s Award. But I’m equally proud of the moments that don’t come with an award: someone picking up a paintbrush for the first time, a business owner getting excited about their space, or a neighbor recognizing themselves in a mural.
As a self-taught artist, I’m also proud that I’ve kept learning and building. Today, I get to create paid opportunities for other artists through projects and events. Being able to grow my own practice while helping other creatives get their work seen and valued means a lot to me.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Ogden is its environment, creativity, and diversity. There are so many people here bringing their own stories, cultures, and ideas to the city. I also appreciate the support for the arts and the opportunities to help shape what Ogden becomes. It feels like a place where you can get involved and make a difference.
Something I dislike is that some people still don’t see that potential, especially when it comes to the value of art. Art gives people a reason to visit, explore a neighborhood, and spend time at local businesses. It creates jobs, supports tourism, and helps people feel connected to where they live. I’d love to see more people recognize that supporting artists is an investment in Ogden’s future.
Pricing:
- Murals start at $25 square ft.
- Videography and/or Photography start at $400
- Prints $ 30
- Original Artwork $100-10000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.noelcreativehouse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noise_explosion/
