Lesley Painting

Born and raised in South Africa to Greek Cypriot parents, I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was seven years old. After completing my BA in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand, I moved to Taiwan where I taught English and Art. Four years later, I moved permanently to Cyprus where I currently reside in Nicosia, the last divided city in Europe. I owned a recruitment company for several years leaving very little time to paint, however, during Covid, with offices shut, I found my old paintbrushes and started painting again. One thing led to another, and I decided to leave the corporate world for good, choosing to rent a studio where I now paint full time. I have had several artworks published in art publications and sell paintings to both local and international collectors. I am currently working towards a solo exhibition. Inspired by people, nature, still-life, and interiors, I paint in saturated colours with bold expressive brushstrokes. My work often tells a story and feels quite whimsical, superimposing animals in interior spaces or humans in front of ornate, detailed backgrounds. A mixed-media artist, I adore watercolour paper, favouring it above all other mediums, and work primarily in acrylics, pastel, pen, and watercolour.