WORDS FROM THE ARTIST
Growing up I experienced different forms of bullying and my art has reflected on that. I work with all sorts of mediums; traditional, ready-mades, digital and more, conveying some sort feeling though my work. For instance, an older piece I created was a multi-media mash of a life size skeleton. From the hip up, I had drawn in various ink colours on paper. I had then cut and pasted it onto a stretched canvas covered in acrylic and ink that connected to the hip down of an androgynous figure. To make the ribcage pop out, I placed a heart created of canvas cloth, acrylic, ink, wire and rope, beneath the paper-cut out. Layered atop of that, I connected a large piece of canvas cloth, that I had painted and texturized to look like it was flesh peeling off the bones. This portion was joined by wire ,and nails pinch the legs’ flesh below. My work mirrors the challenges that I have, and I know many others, have dealt with in a harsh society.
BIOGRAPHY
Leah Avila is an artist from Mississauga, ON who uses multiple mediums in her work including ink, watercolour, acrylic, charcoal, conte, plaster, and whatever else comes to mind. She has a strong interest in anatomy and describes the majority of her subject matter as “horrifyingly beautiful.’ After much hard work and determination, she was awarded a placement in Illustration, at Sheridan College. She also plans to work towards a Bachelor of Education and hopes to inspire and teach up and coming artists. She is a recipient of the Brampton Arts Council Award.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Leah Avila, through her various art works on canvas, paper, digital pieces, and sculptures; she explores the use of colour, several techniques, and different mediums. Ranging from Illustrative works, to realism, and the macabre, one can see and feel her expressive nature. Leah Avila has in her past, drawn her inspiration from artists such as; H.R Giger, Jenny Saville, Savidor Dali, Jennifer Poon, and Chris Mars, just to name a few. Not only does she have the ability to express herself on paper, she is capable of capturing reality on film. Through her photography, Leah Avila, oversteps her upbringing and tries to grasp hold of who and what people truly are. Calling her inner Diane Arbus, Leah not only brings out her inner Freak onto paper, but she also does so in her images. "We are not always beautiful people, and sometimes to find out who we really are, we have to dig through the ugly." Leah Avila refers to most of her artwork as, “Horrifyingly beautiful,” pieces.
ABOUT
CURRICULUM VITAE
Awards
2010
Brampton Arts Council Award
Digital Skills
Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, After Effects, Media Encoder, Cinema 4D, Final Cut, currently learning Nuke
Work History
June 2006
Carcaturist
Incorporate life drawing techniques when exagerating the main features of customers.
2009 – Present
Graphic Designer and Photographer
Experience working with clients on a personal level, understand their needs and wants in order to achieve their vision in product advertisement and business cards.
Education
Degree: Bachelors of Applied Arts Illustration
2013-2018
Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Oakville Courses include:
o Digital Media Principles
o Illustrative Painting Methods
o Life Drawing
Diploma: Visual and Creative Arts Advanced
2011-2013
Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Oakville
Courses include:
o Digital Media Studio
o 2D Design: Typography
o Material Exploration
Certificate: Art Fundamentals
2010-2011
Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Courses included:
o Colour Theory
o 2D Design
o Drawing Systems
Diploma: St. Marguerite d’Youville
2006-2010
Catholic Secondary School, Brampton
Courses included:
o Visual Arts
o Photography
o Communications Technology