Leaza Urban

Artist Statement

Beginning in 2021, my love of practicing art was reinvigorated, as I began painting and drawing again. I mostly paint, primarily in oil, and I also draw using various media. I tend to gravitate to, and get the most enjoyment out of, painting subjects that mean something to me on a personal level. Sometimes I find that in my family, my daughter. Sometimes it’s the losses I’ve experienced. Sometimes I’m influenced by my home, Marin County, Mount Tamalpais, Stinson Beach and the redwoods. And sometimes I’m drawn to the spiritual and metaphysical world. I love to include a light source in some form- a candle, the sun or the moon—and I get a deep satisfaction from using colors that look as if they are glowing, as well as blending colors to distinguish reflections & shadows. Inspired by the artist Remedios Varo, I have also enjoyed using acrylic gesso on a couple of my paintings to create a pattern and texture underneath the oil paint. I am currently creating paintings that build on a composition that’s not only (hopefully) beautiful to look at, but also contains a narrative element.

Biography

Leaza Urban is a born and raised, local Marin County artist. From a young age, she has been inspired by the other artists in her family and has always been connected to the arts in one form or another. Throughout her life, Leaza has always been an art student, leading her to earn an AS degree in Interior Design at College of Marin and, more recently, returning to take classes in painting, drawing & photography. After working for a few years in the interior design industry, Leaza worked in the performing arts for 11 years as an IATSE Union Stagehand in San Francisco, which included countless Broadway shows, rock and roll shows, a few films and a 7-year stay at the San Francisco Opera House. Since returning to creating art again, Leaza recently brought together a group of artists who are collaborating as “New Moon Artists”, with the goal of showing their artwork together at various venues. Independently, Leaza is a member of Marin Open Studios and her work has been shown several times at The College of Marin Fine Art Gallery, as well as The Marin County Exhibit Hall. Leaza plans to continue to create, explore, grow and learn as an artist and is looking forward to several exhibitions in 2026, including Marin Open Studios in the spring and a group show with New Moon Artists at the Falkirk Cultural Center at the end of the year.

Art Medium(s)

Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Drawing