Leyla Aysel Munteanu

About

Born in Romania in 1967.Moved to Canada in 1998. I changed my career in 2004. Engeneering was not my call, but art was allways a path I wanted to pursue.

I have always felt a special connection with textural surfaces and the human figure. The beauty and strength in human features was a preferred subject in my work. Now I am focusing on the nostalgic. My love for the human figure has evolved into an interest in what they leave behind. Human marks left on objects and surfaces over time become more important than representation of the people who made the marks.

I find my inspiration in immediate surroundings, and I hope that my work will lead the viewer to see the beauty that I see. First impressions are everything. Most often my depictions of those experiences are simply my way of saying you should see what I saw! Each piece has special meaning to me, which will not necessarily be the same meaning the viewer may attach to it. Art tells us something about ourselves and my work is the world as I see it, a world that brings back memories.

I grew up in Bucharest Romania, a town marked by a long history; every place was worn by time or human nature. Im still amazed by my memories of these places. All my new work involves transforming the memories of those places into works of art.

I enjoy taking pictures; they are valuable references for my work and help to capture the subject in that certain moment in just a fraction of a second. Vibrancy, color, and emotion, the potential is there to add my unique and personal touch and bring to life a photograph that to me may only be a flat and lifeless representation of reality.

Currently I am creating textural paintings using a variety of materials, from traditional painting materials, found objects to building materials. The references for this kind of work can be found in nature or urban architecture. I am using as support, stretched canvas, drywall or wood panels.
With this new work I strive to give the viewer a complete sensory experience. The perception of reality of this work will bring back memories in some of the viewers; others will come closer out of curiosity.
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Location: Windsor, Canada
Website: http://yessy.com/leyla

Work

Professional Experience and Employment:

2011 present Group Exercise instructor-Good Life Fitness, Walker club, Windsor

2010 spring Art Instructor, Drawing I, II- Wayne State University

2007 - 2009, Art Instructor, Drawing I, II- Wayne State University

2006 - Present, Art Instructor, Windsor Art Supply, Tecumseh Rd. Windsor, Ontario,

2005 – 2007 Art Instructor, Michael’s Canada, Walker Rd. Windsor, Ontario,

1998 - 2001 Custom mosaic designer and assembler, Creative Tile Design, Tecumseh, ON

1992 - 1998 Engineer, Regia Generala de Apa Bucuresti, Bucharest, Romania

1986 - 1992 Draught person, Regia Generala de Apa Bucuresti, Bucharest, Romania
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Education

Education and Certification

2011 – Bachelor in Education, University of Windsor, ON, Canada

2010 –MFA, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA

2007 - BFA Visual art, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada

2001 - Drafting with AutoCAD, St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology, Windsor, ON

2001 – Diploma with highest honors in Art, International Correspondence Schools, QC, Canada

1999 - Computer Support Specialist, The Toronto School of Business, Windsor, ON, Canada

1992 - B. A. Sc. - Civil Engineering, Builders Technical University of Bucharest, Romania

1990 - Major in Sculpture, Scoala de Arta Populara Bucuresti, (Art School of Bucharest), Romania

Awards
2010 Certificate of Recognition from Graduate School of Wayne State University
2009-2010 John and Irene Sowinski Scholarship in Fine Arts and Design
2009-2010 Graduate Professional Assistantships
2008-2009 Graduate Teaching Assistantships
2008 Golden Key Award, Wayne State University
2007 1st Place at 2nd Annual Utrecht Miniature Competition
2006-2007 Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Honour Roll
2006 Grand Prize Award, The International Exhibition”Caragiale” by Cartoonists Rights Network, Ploiesti, Romania
2006 Merit Award,” Just Paint”, Artrom Gallery, Rome, Italy
2006 Dennis W. Knight Award of Excellence in Visual art
2006 University of Windsor In Course Scholarship
2005-2006 Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Honour Roll
2005 Signature status Award, Purely Pastel 14th Annual Open Juried Show
2005 Golden Key Award, University of Windsor
2005 Award of Excellence, The American Juried Art Salon
2004 The Pastel Journal award “Purely Pastel 13th Annual Open Juried Exhibit”
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