Laksmi, (ref: 1031), oil painting by Jelila, 19" x 17" approx, oil on canvas, from her series on 'people'

The artist explains: I saw Lakshmi in Tutmak Cafe in Ubud, and made a drawing which I then turned into both a finished charcoal drawing, and this oil painting. On the table is a letter from Lakshmi's daughter (I later found out, when I spoke to her). Frangipani flowers allude to the fact that we are in Bali. Then there is the cafe's cat, plants, and the water fountain in the background'.

Jelila's expressionist portraits capture a likeness of the person at the same time as telling some of their story with the symbolic shapes and objects included in the painting. Jelila's artistic influences include Picasso and Modigliani.

Follow on Instagram: @artistjelila