Zélia de Sousa
California
Zélia de Sousa was born in Terceira, Azores Islands, Portugal. She immigrated with her parents to California where she was raised in a traditional Portuguese home. Her father, a carpenter and mother a homemaker/seamstress, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a moral obligation of using God-given gifts. Creating was encouraged throughout her life and thus planted the seeds of love for architecture and art.
She obtained a 5 year Professional Degree in Architecture (B.Arch) from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and has worked for several architecture firms. She is currently a self-employed Design Professional & multi-disciplinary artist.
Zélia is a three-time cancer survivor. She used art as an instrument for healing and in 2014, she founded START HEALING Foundation--a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and their families through art.
Contact: zeliadesousa@gmail.com
Instagram: @zeliadesousa
Website: www.zeliadesousa.com
Website: www.starthealingfoundation.org
Title/Year: Vislumbre da Terceira (2024)Medium: mixed media
Size: 30in x 30in
Inspiration: Visiting Terceira and noticing how nearly every view has a hydrangea
Title/Year: Igreja de Sao Jorge (2024)Medium: mixed media
Size: 30in x 30in
Inspiration: Visiting the church in Doze Ribeiras where my parents (Elvino de Sousa/ Maria Dulce Ferreira) were married and I was baptized and reflecting on countless generations of mine that came through the same church
Title/Year: Onion Skin Nostalgia (2014)Medium: mixed media
Size: 48in x 48in
Inspiration: Using multiple layers of trace paper (onion skin) in architecture school
Zélia mostly creates in the abstract expressionist style, but is not bound to a particular style or medium. She is a prolific artist, continually researching and experimenting with different subject matter and mediums. She draws inspiration and themes from the medical and biological fields as well as her travels and combines these with colors, textures and symbolism drawn from her Portuguese culture.
Title/Year: Vista Porto do Cinco Ribeiras (2024)Medium: mixed media
Size: 30in x 30in
Inspiration: Overlooking the natural pools where my father gave my sister, Jacinta, and I swimming lessons.
Title/Year: Fenix (2021)Medium: collage
Size: 14in x 28in
Inspiration: Being raised in a Portuguese, immigrant home meant no wasting of anything. I took it to a different level and created this from discarded boxes.
“Despite the scars that remain, life is still beautiful and worth living.”
Title/Year: The Graft (2015)
Medium: acrylic on museum board
Size: 20in x 30in
Inspiration: My cancer surgery and treatments
Title/Year: Biopsy Eve (2022)Medium: mixed media
Size: 20in x 30in
Inspiration: The night before one of my biopsies
Zélia creates art anticipating it will inspire a cancer survivor, patient, caregiver or anyone affected by cancer to create and participate in their own healing. Her piece, “Zoe”, is a true reflection of this as it is an abstract representation of her and her late husband, Joe Lourenço, cancer journeys and the inspiration behind START HEALING Foundation.
Title/Year: ZOE (2015)
Medium: mixed media
Size: 48in x 72in
Inspiration: My sarcoma cancer and my late husband Joe’s lung cancer.
Title/Year: Should I (2023)Medium: acrylic on paper
Size: 24in x 47in
Inspiration: just create for the sake of creating
Title/Year: Heat Uprising 2.0Medium: acrylic on canvas
Size: 48in x 72in
Inspiration: The many layers we have within ourselves that make up who we are today.