LEANA is a self-taught acrylic and mixed media artist bridging consciousness and expression. She began creating art at the age of eight years old, drawing realistic portraits at thirteen years of age and painting surreal eyes and portraits by the age of seventeen. Raised in New Orleans embracing her creole roots in daily and family traditions her art focuses on afro-surrealism portraits and vibrant abstract expression. She continued her expanded her artistic expression in textured mediums, video art, and photography with a minor in Fine Arts at Flagler College. LEANA’s portraits are meant to connect us to inner-standing and over-standing the strength and beauty of our BIPOC communities in the world. Her expressive abstract works of art remind us of our essence, connecting us to our Creole, Caribbean, and African spiritual and herbal roots. Every piece is meant to pull your awareness to your emotions and let you learn more about yourself. Without expression, we are stuck in the same evolution - without evolution we are stuck in an inevitable darkness.