In Other Studios: (Genoveva Kelleher)

Genoveva at her studio using our (pera) top

Genoveva Kelleher, originally from Mérida, Yucatán, shares her art from Mexico City.Inspired since childhood by her mother’s love of painting, she has developed her own language through painting, sculpture, and ceramics.

Her work stands out for its intimate connection with nature and a bold expressionist style, where color and material come together to create compositions of great visual and emotional strength.

We visited her studio in Mexico City, where she shared part of her creative process, her most recent works, and the spaces and objects that inspire her—including the book Art and Science of Ernst Haeckel.

To delve deeper into her artistic practice, we asked her six questions about her relationship with art, her process, and the ideas that nourish her work:

What would you say is the main thing you seek to express through your work?

I believe each piece is an extension of myself. Through different techniques, I reflect the emotions I’m experiencing at that moment. My visual language is deeply rooted in the strength of nature.

How do you think the simple moments of everyday life influence the way you connect with what you create?In every moment, there’s a spark of inspiration. I believe the beauty of nature holds the visual essence of my work—reflected in the forms and textures that shape it—and movement represents the energy I channel through my emotions in each piece. That’s why my art is never exactly the same; it evolves as I grow and change.

For me, painting is a necessity—a way to express what I feel or think. Abstract art allows me to share a part of my story without having to say everything, letting the shapes and colors speak for themselves.

Close-up of Genoveva's painting

When you begin a piece, how do you decide which organic forms or movements to incorporate in order to convey a certain emotion or atmosphere?

It’s completely experimental—there’s no prior planning. The movements emerge from a meditative state. Music plays an important role in my work; it helps me flow and its rhythm guides my brushstrokes.

What inspires you to choose the colors and textures in each of your pieces?

I love experimenting with the textures in my paintings. Some have a deep, tactile presence—I incorporate sand-based layers that add volume and dimension to each piece. Others are light and ethereal, where I use only pigment and water to create atmospheres that reflect the most essential aspects of my vision.

My color palettes range from very neutral tones, which express a constant search for peace and tranquility, to vibrant reds, magentas, and blacks that represent the inner chaos we sometimes feel. Each piece is a reflection of that dialogue between calm and storm that lives within us.

Genoveva at her studio

If you could paint anywhere in the world, with no rules or limits, where would it be—and what do you think you’d find there that would inspire you to create?

Lately, I feel very drawn to traveling to Asia. I would love to paint in a monastery like Mount Kōya in Japan, surrounded by forest and its beautiful culture—experimenting with regional papers, inks, and ceramics.

Do you think your painting style reflects your personal style or the way you dress? If so, in what ways are they similar?

My painting style ranges from something very peaceful and organic, with soft colors and fluid forms, to pieces full of chaos—using different materials, handwritten words, and intense brushstrokes. I like to play with contrasts and let what I’m feeling in the moment guide what I paint. And I think that’s also reflected in the way I dress: during the week, I wear comfortable, loose clothing, but if I’m going out, I enjoy dressing up more. In the end, my style is a mix of bohemian and contemporary—somewhat free and ever-changing, just like my creative process.

We encourage you to take a look at Genovevas's work: @genovevakelleher