Ella De Leon Detlefsen
THE SIBYL
INSPIRED BY MUSE'S SONG "FURY"
SPECTRE
INSPIRED BY RADIOHEAD'S SONG "SPECTRE"
A PORTRAIT OF US
INSPIRED BY LAUFEY'S SONG "FORGET-ME-NOT"
THE NUISANCE
INSPIRED BY Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47
A SUBTLE IMPRESSION
INSPIRED BY KENDRICK LAMAR'S "PRAYER"
DELIRIUM
INSPIRED BY PETER MCPOLAND'S "DIGITAL SILENCE"
UNINTENDED
INSPIRED BY RADIOHEAD'S "UNINTENDED"
INTELLIGENT CREATURE
INSPIRED BY RADIOHEAD'S "MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK"
CALL IT FATE, CALL IT KARMA
INSPIRED BY MEN I TRUST'S "CALL IT FATE, CALL IT KARMA"
About the Artist
Ella De Leon Detlefsen is a New York-based abstract artist whose work serves as a visual conductor for the world of sound. Originally from Burtonsville, MD, Ella’s creative journey is rooted in her lifelong relationship with music as a trained pianist and violinist. This deep musical foundation eventually evolved into a unique, self-taught artistic practice characterized by ethereal movement and vibrant, organic forms.
Her process is an exploration of synesthetic imagery: she translates the rhythmic complexities and emotional peaks of genres ranging from classical to indie into tangible drawings. By blending elements of traditional realism with fluid abstraction, Ella aims to immortalize the fleeting feelings evoked by sound, capturing the very essence of the listening experience on paper as each piece is based off a song of her choosing.
A graduate of the University of Maryland (B.S. in Operations Management and Business Analytics), Ella brings a distinct, analytical perspective to the contemporary art world. Now based in Manhattan, she continues to challenge the boundaries of modern art, bridging the gap between fine art traditions and digital community-building.
artist statement
“Music has become heavily intertwined with my work as an artist. Growing up playing both the piano and violin, I found my experiences being interrupted by visual imagery whenever I’d hear the songs I played. I couldn’t draw without the influence of music. I found myself seeing colors and visuals that would play alongside the music I’d listen to, so naturally, I started putting them onto paper.
My work captures the feelings evoked by sound, whether it comes from classical, indie, pop, or rock pieces–I aim to capture the vast array of emotions that can occur during the listening experience. Utilizing primarily color pencils, I draw the images I hear as I listen to various genres of music to immortalize what they represent and how it makes people feel.”
-Ella De Leon Detlefsen