Melissa Leila is an Iranian-American contemporary realist working out of Southern California. She began her artistic endeavors at the age of fourteen and since has developed a great love for the traditional and academic way of drawing and painting. She obtained her BFA in drawing and painting from Laguna College of Art + Design.

In her shift toward drawing, Melissa’s technique has become more refined - forms appear on hand toned paper created by layering charcoal, graphite, and gouache. She often employs brushes to impart a subtle and paint-like texture which gives her work a delicate and painterly effect.

Her subject matter is constantly influenced by her Iranian background and the dynamic political climate of the country. Using charcoal as a medium allows her to effectively convey the raw emotions of her people through its stark black and white imagery which is evocative of the powerful and graphic photographs taken during the Iranian revolution. Her technical approach to drawing and painting allows her to create emotional and poignant pieces that are both technically precise yet also deeply rooted in her cultural heritage.

She carries out a unique process which incorporates contrasting values along with variation of edge to demonstrate a strong, engaging, and representational image. Her work was featured in International Artist Magazine.