Leila Simic

ARTIST STATEMENT:

My art had its beginning in spontaneous pen doodles that I would draw in free moments. Eventually all of my notebooks and schoolbooks were filled with it.

I started college not really knowing what I wanted to do but I had a feeling that there was a creative vein inside of me waiting to be tapped.

Around the same time, I began to be deeply interested in forms of spiritual self-discovery. Through my readings I uncovered an affinity with the Celtic world view. I believe that most pre-Christian European peoples have had similar esoteric perspectives centering around cyclical cosmic patterns. I found that a deep respect for nature and all lifecycles is mirrored in the organic forms of Celtic art. I realized that in a sense the shapes I was producing echoed those forms.

I have a degree in art. I produced my first painting again spontaneously, a series of intricate shapes and biomorphic forms. I sketched almost constantly since that time, a period of about a decade.
My current textile designs were produced at the beginning of 2003, through the medium of colored pencil and paper. I work in my studio with the aid of film playing in the background. This produces a meditative state out of which shapes flow organically when I put pen to paper. Once the initial sketch is completed I choose the colors according to my mood and work them in until a fluid smoothness is achieved.
My work has been compared most closely with musical composition rather than narrative. In a sense that is true. My inspiration comes from a deep dream state where I am able to contact the source of creativity, the inspiration behind all that is manifested in the world, that is the Great All.

BIOGRAPGHY:

I was born in Chicago, Il. in early October of 1967.

I graduated Columbia College with a Bachelor's degree in Art in 1993; it was here that I took my first art classes.

I began to pursue a Master's degree in Art Therapy in conjuction with painting classes at UIC under the supervision of Phyllis Bramson.

It was then that I decided to pursue a hobby of art, but not a career until August 2002.

ART GALLERIES

Barcelona , Spain (2006)
Possible International Representation
Matthew Starnes

Phuture Art Gallery
1342 West Madison Ave
Chicago, IL. (2006)

Lucid artists Gallery Sept. 2005 to Dec. 2005

Lake Point Towers Chicago, IL.

Skokie Art Show July 9 & 10 2005

Art works Gallery Surprise, Az. AUG.2005 to NOV.

Presentation of my art works in Paris, France
Serbian & Montenegrian Cultural Center
Pompideu Square (Open Ivitation)

Big City Swing Dec. 12, 2003 (two person show)
Chicago , IL .

High Risk Gallery July I - 27, 2OO3 Group Show Chicago, IL.

St Sava Serbian Club May 24 2OO3 to Jan. 2005
Chicago, IL.

La Grange Art League Gallery March to July 2OO3
La Grange , IL . 60525