ABOUT MONICA LEAL CUEVA
I’m a visual artist based in Los Angeles, born and raised in Mexico. Growing up in a creative family, I was surrounded by artistic influences, from my father's bolero music and writing, to my mother's classical painting. These early experiences, along with my family's love for poetry and my travels across Mexico, shaped my appreciation for the blend of traditional and modern arts.
After studying Communications in Monterrey and at University, I initially focused on writing, particularly non-fiction for children, and taught creative literature workshops. I moved to California in 2006 where I deepened my skills in photography, illustration, drawing, and painting. I now create my art at Tom Wudl Studio, engaging with other artists in Los Angeles.
My mixed-media and digital work reflects my belief in the connections between different forms of expression. I combine paper, collage, and elements from folk art and digital photography to explore hidden relationships and moments of insight.
Today my art feeds off of constant trips and adventures to the Southern California desert; exploration of old mines, discovery of abandoned homes and structures and the search for petroglyphs, ancient sites and…sheep and goats.
My art captures the tension of near-recognition and the fleeting nature of realization, offering viewers a glimpse into my process of discovery.
EXHIBITIONS
2023 The Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Explorations, The Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Not Real Art Grant Winners Show, ArtShareLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Participated in ArtShare’s XXI Anniversary Auction Show, ArtShare Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2018 - 2019 Variations, The Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA
2018 StudioEleven At Work, Pete and Susan Barrett Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2018 Exhibit L.A., ArtShareLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017 StudioEleven at the Neutra, The Neutra Institute Museum and Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2016 StudioEleven at the Ebell, Wilshire Ebell, Los Angeles, CA
2016 Que Ves? by ArtShareLA, Los Angeles, CA
2015 - 2016 Coda, The Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA
2015 Secret Specimens, Lois Lambert Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2015 Public and Private Codes, StudioEleven Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2014 Location!, ArtShare LA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
TALKS
2019, Searching for Our Lady de Guadalupe, Personal Photo Projects Presentation, LEICA Gallery, West Hollywood, CA
2019 Digital Collage, My Story and Method, Presentation for Digital Lab Artists, ECF Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
GRANTS
2019 Not Real Art Grant Winner
ZINE FESTS
2019 San Diego Zine Fest
2019 Long Beach Zine Fest
2019 Tijuana Zine Fest
2019 Los Angeles Zine Fest
2019 Joshua Tree Zine Fest
2018 Joshua Tree Zine Fest
2018 Tijuana Zine Fest
2018 San Diego Zine Fest
2018 Long Beach Zine Fest
EDUCATION
BSc. in Communication Sciences, Tec de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Concentration in Scientific Journalism, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
COURSES
2019 Risography Workshop with Tiny Splendor
2019 Photographic Vision, with Nancy Kaye at American Jewish University
2018 Photographic Essay, with Nancy Kaye at Santa Monica College