A native of Northern California, Leilani Joy grew up illustrating the world around her. A graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Leilani achieved her first solo show shortly after graduation in Spring 2009. She has since had her work shown in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury, as well as numerous art events in the Northern California. Heavily influenced by children’s literature, fashion, sexuality, and the occult, her work blends her passions in unique ways. Gangly long-necked ladies give a nod to her own awkward adolescence as they blur the line between realism and distorted beauty. She cites Erte, Alphonse Mucha, David Downton, and Marilyn Minter as just a few of her artistic influences. Currently living and working in San Francisco, CA, she is constantly working to improve her craft and discover new ways of bringing her world to ours. To watch Leilani paint, check out her video blog at Artnuvogue.com!