Name
Luciana Leeman

Brain Tumor Type
Astrocytoma

Date of Diagnosis
9/13/2014

Participant Group
Brain Tumor Survivor / 13 - 20 Years of age

Category
Drawing/Painting/Printmaking/Chalk Art

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
Girl blooming with flowers is a piece I created using oil paint on canvas. It is a new medium I’m working with but I absolutely enjoyed painting this piece. I have always worked with acrylic but oil is a new amazing experience. The beauty of blending and the paint staying wet for days is beneficial for portrait paintings as you can continue working on wet paint for days, and continue making adjustments as needed. I created this painting from a beautiful photograph I found of this exact woman, posing with various of beautiful flowers in her hair that compliment her complexion. I wanted to create an artwork that felt freeing, loose and at peace and that’s exactly how I felt creating this. I’ve always had admiration for Frida Kahlo’s paintings and seeing the photograph reminded me of her as she always had flowers in her hair.

Artist Bio: Tell Us Your Story
I’m Luciana Leeman, I’m 19 years old and was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 9. It has been a continuous battle for me for my various symptoms and treatments, but that never stopped me of loving art and creating. Ever since I was little girl (3 years old) I have loved drawing girls with pretty dresses on as well as animals like dogs or cats. This love continued still when I was diagnosed. I’ve always had a willing and love for learning new techniques of drawing and improving, from watching many Youtube tutorials. I always enjoyed drawing people such as pretty girls in a semi-realistic style like Christina Lorré’s characters. I now enjoy painting and creating realistic like portraits of people, whether it be famous singers or photos of girls on Pinterest. I am currently taking art classes and taking classes at college to become an Art Therapist. It is my dream to improve my craft and one day achieve my dream of becoming professional and get to sell my artwork or help other kids release themselves through making artwork.