Meet Leilani Jeevaratnam-Oxfordshire Artist

INTRODUCTION

I am a self-taught artist — inspired by the beauty and wonder of creation. My paintings are shaped by a love of colour, light, and texture, and explore themes of nature, spirituality, and stillness. They invite reflection – not through fixed meaning, but where emotion, memory and wonder can gently unfold.

What I create comes from within - a visual prayer of peace, beauty and hope.

MATERIALS & MEDIUMS

Working primarily in acrylics and oils, I build layers to create texture. I’ve recently begun experimenting with cold wax medium, which adds a luminous, tactile quality to the surface.

MY PROCESS

My process is entirely intuitive — I never begin with a fixed plan. Instead, I let the painting unfold moment by moment, guided by feeling rather than formula. This reflects how I play music too — by ear, not by the book — whether it’s the piano, piano accordion, or guitar. I am not restricted by rules in either art or music; both are spaces where I feel most free. Fluid, spontaneous, and deeply joyful, they allow me to express what words cannot.

Artist at work at easel

ECHOES OF HOME IN COLOUR

My love of vibrant colour is rooted in the radiant landscapes of my birthplace, Sri Lanka. That connection brings warmth, light, and tropical richness to many of my pieces. I believe colour can bring healing and transformation, lifting a space and stirring something deep within us.

A SPACE FOR YOU

Many of my paintings hold a quiet, meditative presence — creating space for your own stillness and reflection. Rather than presenting a fixed message, each painting becomes a gentle space for you to bring your own story, emotions and imaginations.

What others see in my work often moves me deeply — interpretations I could never have predicted, yet which feel entirely true to them. It’s in these moments that the painting becomes a shared experience — a quiet thread of connection between you and me.

MOMENTS THAT MARKED ME

There is a deeper thread that runs through my work — one shaped by both the beauty of life and its trials. Years ago, during a time of civil unrest in Sri Lanka, my infant son and I fled our home with nothing but the clothes we wore. That experience taught me about loss, courage, and the profound strength found in forgiveness. It is this quiet resilience, shaped by faith and grace, that underpins the work I create today. Though not always visible, it is present — in the stillness they carry, in the sacred moments they seek to hold, and in the gentle offering of hope.

STEPS ALONG THE CREATIVE PATH

It has been an honour rewarding to be part of Matt Tommey’s Created to Thrive artist mentorship programme http://www.matttommeymentoring.com/christianartistdirectory, and to be listed in the Debra Hart Studio curated artist shortlist, which you can explore at https://debrahartstudio.com/curated-artist-shortlist — meaningful milestones that came after I began taking my art more seriously later in life.

Before that turning point, I wasn’t able to fully commit to painting due to family commitments. However, earlier on, I did have the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition in Sri Lanka which was sponsored by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka, and two solo exhibitions in Germany, where I lived for several years. These early experiences planted seeds that would later take root and flourish.

In the UK, I am a member of Oxfordshire Artweeks, the country’s largest open studios and pop-up exhibition event where I’ve had the pleasure of showcasing my work alongside the Brightwell Village Hall Artists in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and regularly exhibit with The Abingdon Artists and West Ox Arts. I was also invited to exhibit at the Langford Arts Festival in June 2025.

Embracing this journey more fully in recent years has shown me that it’s never too late to follow a calling — and that sometimes, the second half of life can be the most creatively rich.

 

LET’S STAY CONNECTED

If my art resonates with you, I’d love to stay in touch.
Consider joining my mailing list to receive occasional updates, reflections, and glimpses into my latest work.