Mirela Leu

My artistic journey has been one of transformation—both in technique and in emotion. Born in 1989, based in Bucharest, Romania, I first discovered my passion for art in childhood, a simple curiosity that grew into a lifelong pursuit. I studied Architecture and Design in High school, followed by Ethnology at university, but in 2016, I returned to painting, reconnecting with my true artistic voice.

From the very beginning, I was drawn to surrealism—that captivating blend of abstraction and realism. Certain images haunted my mind—crows, butterflies, branches, and snails—recurring like whispers from an unseen world. Yet, for years, I felt a distance between what I imagined and what took shape on the canvas. My early works were filled with color, exploring emotion through vibrant tones. But over time, I felt the urge to strip away excess and move toward something more raw and essential.

A turning point came when I shifted from acrylics to oils, instinctively discovering the sfumato technique. The soft transitions between light and darkness allowed me to express emotions more deeply, as if shadow and light had become my language. This transition led me into a darker, more subdued palette, where my most recent works explore fragility an...

Architecture and Design at Art high school, Romania - 2008