Aia Leu, a fine artist with a love for oil and watercolour painting, has called the mountains near Kenmare, County Kerry, home since 1989. Born in 1971, Aia received her early training in figure sketching in Vevey, Switzerland, and she has a familial connection to the Swiss artist Eva Aeppli, her paternal grandmother.

Aia’s paintings strive to capture the spirit of the landscape, blending reality with imagination. Her work often features not only the natural beauty of her surroundings but also whimsical elements like imaginary animals, symbols, and artifacts. This mix creates a unique and engaging world in her art.

In 2020, she completed a five-year project for an award-winning tarot deck, resulting in over 78 paintings. A member of Visual Artists Ireland, Aia’s works are available by appointment at her studio, through her website, with smallpaintings.ie and at the Kenmare Courtyard Gallery, a co-operative open daily in the heart of Kenmare.