the pieces

Hello! Let me first introduce myself. My name is Leila, and I'm currently a college student pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts [emphasis in painting] and a BA in French Studies. Now, you may be wondering, "what does that entail?" or "what do I want to do with that?"
Well, I'm glad you asked!
...that is, if you did ask...if not...I guess I'll tell you anyway ;]

To be honest, I don't have any big dreams to 'make it' as a great artist and have my own gallery or anything. However, I do have a few things I'm passionate about. Connecting with people, creating art, and Jesus. The dream is to connect the three and be able to use the
creation of art [hopefully in a group setting] to introduce people to Him.
Especially in the often neglected art world.
Not sure what that looks like yet, but the possibilities are endless...

So, I guess you could say that right now, I'm working on getting better and better at my
art & design skills. I really enjoy painting people. Especially faces full of expression. But I also like experimenting with different kinds of media and styles.

This site is just a collection of some of my favorite painted, drawn, sculpted, photographed, carved, and sewn pieces from the past few semesters.
...aaand a way to keep track of progress.

Enjoy!




Face in the sun

Face in the sun



Painting Prof. Charcoal and erasure.

Painting Prof.

Charcoal and erasure.


Red sketches

Prof. Ben


Drawings from busts.

Jesus and Seneca


Some drawings.

3 self-portraits and one of a girl named Madeline.

Working on light and shadows

Experimenting with words and crayon

These are in response to the crayon drawings I did previously with the horror stories of children.

Mercy::Courage::Forgiveness::Compassion::Humility::Joy

I really love these. It’s so different from the other stuff I’ve done.

I want to make a ton more. Maybe bigger?


I decided to experiment with a more stylized style of painting for this self-portrait.  I kind of like the blotchy shading.  I also tried a huge pop of color in the background. …still don’t know how I feel about it, but I’m trying to let go of my realistic thinking and “just do it.” =]

I decided to experiment with a more stylized style of painting for this self-portrait. 

I kind of like the blotchy shading. 

I also tried a huge pop of color in the background.

…still don’t know how I feel about it, but I’m trying to let go of my realistic thinking and “just do it.” =]



30 March & 2 April :: Quick self portraits :: funny faces


2 April :: Playing with color



Mkay, soooo since I’m in the middle of a SERIOUS creativity block, I may as well post something I’ve been kinda of working on.

Earlier this semester I had this idea to do a series on stories of child abuse. It’s all done in crayon, which turns out to be a lot harder to work with than I expected…but pretty fun. The first two drawings have elements that represent each specific story. The last one….not yet…still thinking about it. The plan is to eventually make them darker and more defined.

I started with a story of a girl who was captured by soldiers and forced to kill her best friend and then become a child soldier. [half of a friendship necklace and one with crosshairs]

The next one is of a girl who was a victim of child prostitution and then escaped and forgave the man. [QR code]

The last one is of a boy whose parents were tricked into selling him to a man to do forced labor. [undecided] 

….these passed few weeks I’ve been struggling with whether or not to continue the series, or stop and start something else, or take a different approach to the rest of it and maybe make corresponding pieces that deal with a healing. I dunno, perhaps I’m over thinking it…probably. lol. 

….I wonder if I can get cool effects by melting the crayon with a hair dryer….hmm….



4 March | 2nd in the series.Not sure if it’s finished yet. Time will tell! …I guess I should say something about the series.  Well, the idea is to show the broadness of the term “American.” I’ve chosen to paint people that I know. Some who’s families are of Native American descent, some whose parents were refugees and came to this country to escape, some whose parents came to this country for school. Others whose ancestors were brought to this country by ship, some who recently became citizens by going through that whole process, and yes…some whose great-great-great-great-great…great grand-parents probably landed on Plymouth Rock.  I just thought it would be fun to put them all in some sort of box or display or something and show how, whether one’s feelings toward the US may be hostile, or sweet, or whether or not one looks or speaks a certain way, there’s something cool and interesting and unique about being called an American. Not exactly sure where to run with that idea…but we shall see…. I’ve chosen to paint them all on plywood. I really love the texture and the way the pieces of wood sort of blend with the brush strokes. I feel like it also speaks to the idea of many different pieces becoming one.  …so that’s that =].

4 March | 2nd in the series.
Not sure if it’s finished yet. Time will tell!

…I guess I should say something about the series. 

Well, the idea is to show the broadness of the term “American.” I’ve chosen to paint people that I know. Some who’s families are of Native American descent, some whose parents were refugees and came to this country to escape, some whose parents came to this country for school. Others whose ancestors were brought to this country by ship, some who recently became citizens by going through that whole process, and yes…some whose great-great-great-great-great…great grand-parents probably landed on Plymouth Rock. 

I just thought it would be fun to put them all in some sort of box or display or something and show how, whether one’s feelings toward the US may be hostile, or sweet, or whether or not one looks or speaks a certain way, there’s something cool and interesting and unique about being called an American. Not exactly sure where to run with that idea…but we shall see….

I’ve chosen to paint them all on plywood. I really love the texture and the way the pieces of wood sort of blend with the brush strokes. I feel like it also speaks to the idea of many different pieces becoming one. 

…so that’s that =].



10 February. Study on light and shadow | charcoal and chalk

10 February. Study on light and shadow | charcoal and chalk



Started January 29. The beginnings of a series or portraits. More about the theme later =].

Started January 29. The beginnings of a series or portraits.

More about the theme later =].



Collage, drawing, photography and multi-media - Fall 2011


Basic Design Paintings - Fall 2011