Opening up on her journey from Wall Street to the canvas, New York City and Hamptons-based artist Leila Pinto once worked on Wall Street as a Managing Director for a major firm—but always held a passion for art. Pinto has always enjoyed visiting museums and galleries, but it was not until the financial crisis of 2008 that Pinto picked up a paintbrush and began exploring her creative side. What followed was a deep dive into studying and exploring the craft.
Pinto stated, “I delved into the fundamentals of drawing and painting, seeking instruction from various New York institutes. Traditional representational styles, color theory, and plein-air landscapes laid the groundwork for my artistic expression. Inspired by luminaries like Rothko, Frankenthaler, and Willem de Kooning, I ventured into abstraction.”
Revealing that her art is often informed by her experiences, as well as events around the world, Pinto’s first abstract collection was her Wall Street Series, which is rooted in her work in the financial sector. “These paintings were a visceral response to events that dominated the headlines, like Brexit. By exploring those events through the lens of a painter, I try to make sense of that moment in time to create narratives and meaning.”
Yet, Pinto’s life and interests extend beyond the heart of the financial district. Inspired by the pressing issues of the time, Pinto has also explored oceans throughout her art. “Their breathtaking beauty and the ever-changing light on the East End have been a profound source of inspiration for me,” said Pinto, with the natural world and its current state inspiring Pinto’s Climate Change Series. This response to global warming is a call to action “to safeguard our planet and oceans for future generations. Through my ocean abstract paintings, I aim to evoke visceral and cerebral reactions, drawing attention to critical environmental concerns.”
The artist expressed gratitude for the responses this collection has received, stating, “I am honored to have some of my ocean-inspired abstracts to be displayed during global climate summits in Dubai and Paris, as well as on a monumental 24-foot-tall monolith at the entrance to Scope Art Fair during Art Basel in Miami.”
With an artistic evolution that spans realism to abstraction and tradition to innovation, Pinto has not allowed the changing times to hold back the compositions she creates. In a recent interview, Pinto stated, “When the pandemic disrupted in-person art events, I embraced digital art and the metaverse. Learning about NFTs and cryptocurrency, I put my art on the Blockchain and created a virtual gallery. Incorporating AI allowed me to reimagine iconic New York landmarks as public art installations.”
This summer, Pinto is bringing her art to the Hamptons. “I’ll be exhibiting around thirty pieces at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair from July 11 to 14. You can find my work in Booth 202. This marks my second year participating in this prestigious event, bringing collectors, fellow artists, and art enthusiasts together. The fair promises a vibrant atmosphere, connecting art lovers from the Hamptons and beyond.”
For those looking for more Pinto art, exciting news about another exhibition in August, hosted at a new venue in Water Mill, is on the way!
