Against the Current Painting

Darshelle Andiella de Leos, or better-known as Della, is a Multimedia artist and a Fine Arts degree honor graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She specializes in the mediums (but not limited to) oil and watercolor; and is currently focusing on nonrepresentational and installation art. She has participated in exhibitions in Italy, Japan, Philippines and South Korea. Della aims to go forth around the globe with her art, and continues to aspire to inspire people of different races using her passion and skills in the visual arts to raise awareness on the concerns she stands for and to spread the beauty of art — a testament written in her bones. “Della, born into a family of artists and architects. It was her grandfather who once told her the secret of drawing a perfectly straight line – to hold her breath. She paints everyday in her room, or in the garden where she also stretches her own canvass. The Eiffel Tower, portraits of her sister, faces of elderly men and women –the images lean against walls and furniture on the first and second floors of her home. It was in 2014 when her work began appearing in print and online features. She placed 2nd runner up in the International Art and Design competition, winning a scholarship to Accademia Riacci also in 2014. She recently concluded her 8th group exhibit, this time for the 2015 “Road To Paris Starts in Manila: Maps to Climate Change” campaign held in the French Embassy. Della’s success motivates her to paint everyday and show her family her next masterpiece, the lines drawn perfectly straight.” - Adrianna Mejia, RAPPLER News “De Leos’ watercolor work has an ethereal feel where the colors melt together into soft lines, creating images with animals or nature often at the forefront. Her most impressive pieces are the captivating portraits of anonymous females; a combination of delicate brushwork, vivid colours, and incredible detail. However, it’s the eyes in these paintings that are truly moving, with a sad seductiveness that makes it almost impossible to look away. She may only be 19, but she brings an emotional intelligence to her work that far exceeds her young age, incorporating touching quotes on her website to help her audience understand the meaning she hopes to convey. There’s no denying that Della De Leos is a busy girl, but with her gracious tone, creative manifestations, and inspirational aspirations, she’s the perfect artist to blossom in the digital age.