Lea Woo is an illustrator from Shanghai. Her work primarily features elegantly stylized Eastern women, seamlessly integrated with natural landscapes and elements. Through minimalist compositions, soft color palettes, and the subtle texture of paper, she creates a quiet, nostalgic, and timeless atmosphere.

For Lea, the painting process resembles assembling a collage. She enjoys collecting visual fragments from everyday life—whether it’s blooming flowers on the street, the texture of weathered walls, or the shifting hues of the sky—all of which become sources of inspiration. By reassembling or randomly arranging these elements, the final outcome is often unpredictable. More often than not, the result differs greatly from her initial vision, which she fondly calls “happy accidents.”

She is deeply drawn to women as her central subject because of their diverse qualities—be it refinement, grace, playfulness, or strength. The desire to portray female figures, therefore, arises naturally in her practice.

Most of her works are inspired by early vintage Vogue fashion covers, where she blends traditional and contemporary aesthetics to create a distinctive, modern, and stylish visual language.

“I’ve watched many early Chinese animations and films, and I’m captivated by the elegance, intelligence, and sophistication of the women portrayed in them. At the same time, I want to combine tradition with modernity in my own work. Rather than depicting women as reserved, obedient, or passive figures of the past, I hope to portray them as more confident, bold, and striking—radiating a quiet yet powerful presence.”