Ania Lesela

As an artist, I’m interested in how our minds process ambiguous fragments of information to construct our realities and produce a wide range of emotions and experiences.

My style of painting is largely intuitive. I begin with no fixed idea or intention. I free myself to make gestural marks and splatters which evolve into a feeling or begin to suggest a subject. The markings may unfold to show themselves as figures or faces. I imagine the personas that emerge from this abstraction - they are often deep in thought or engaged in a solitary activity. Sometimes they express themselves in whimsical ways, with big hair or theatrical costumes.

Often my intuitive markings remain in the abstract realm and grow into artworks that have an elusive dream-like quality. These semi-abstract paintings seem to me like fragments of memories or fleeting moments.

I enjoy working with mixed media and will often use collage, acrylics, and oil pencils all together to create layers and textures. Some of my paintings are on paper and others on loose canvas, which I then carefully mount on wood to create the finished piece.

I'm a self-taught artist as well as a physician scientist.

May 2024 - Solo exhibition "Contemplations" at the Wilder Art Gallery in Orinda, CA