Brightening Spaces: Layla Jafar and LA.DEE.DA

I met Layla early in our freshman year (either crammed in the backseat of a car on the way to a football game, or in her Keeney dorm room...one of the two). Fast forward nine years from then, and she has flourished as an artist – and admirably, she pursued what has become a true passion…after college, without an art degree, all while working a ‘regular job’ too. I’m so proud of her and happy to share with you what she has been up to since graduation.

While the memory of when we first met is fuzzy (pretty sure now it was in Keeney, pre Fish Co.), I remember exactly where we were when she said she wanted to have an art gallery opening in New York City.

True to her character, she accomplished just that.

She found a gallery in SoHo, completed her first NYC-inspired collection...and LA.DEE.DA was launched. Here is a photo of the launch at Pomegranate Gallery and you can see more (including a visit from Matt Dillon) here.

Layla’s artwork is vibrant and unique…very much like her personality, and since the launch she has been brightening up spaces all over – receiving requests from people in NYC to California, for adults, kids, restaurants and more.

Just this past May she was asked to provide paintings for the re-opening of a popular restaurant in Greenwich - Meli Melo. Check out the press release here and if you’re in CT and have time to stop in for a crepe, you will be treated (as will your stomach, the food is delicious) to a viewing of a selection of her work.

And keeping the Brown connections going strong….she created these below for fellow ‘06er and friend Adam Braun that is displayed in his Pencils of Promise office.

AND…just a few weeks ago she showed this new set, which is one of my favorites.

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop and let you take a trip over to her site.

If you are looking for something to spice up your walls…..remember LA.DEE.DA. (named for Layla and her two sisters, Nadia and Neda).

Congratulations Layla! And see you all in Providence soon.

Dominique