(pronounced Ry-lan Sand-o-val)

Reilan Sandoval creates paintings that blur the line between reality and the subconscious, using bold colors, intricate patterns, and expressive figures to capture the emotional undercurrents of life. Through striking compositions featuring patterned skin, evocative hands, and eyes filled with emotion, she explores themes of identity, transformation, and the connection between one’s inner world and outward reality. Exploring the depth of the subconscious mind—her paintings reveal how one’s physical appearance, emotions, and experiences are intricately connected.

She is pioneering her own artistic style and genre, which she calls Motifism. Motifism is characterized by patterns and designs taking center stage in the depiction of objects, human form, and abstract concepts, transforming them into visual narratives that transcend traditional realism. This distinctive approach merges elements of Surrealism, Impressionism, Expressionism, and Pop Art, resulting in a bold and eccentric aesthetic. Though her work is vibrant and whimsical, it often carries serious and introspective undertones.

Art has been a lifelong pursuit for Reilan. From childhood, she was captivated by drawing, spending hours replicating her favorite cartoon characters until she could recreate them from memory. High school art classes refined her technical skills, teaching her human anatomy, value, and composition, but she resisted the rigidity of structured education. Instead, she pursued her artistic growth independently, embracing self-teaching and experimentation. At seventeen, during a particularly difficult period in her life, she discovered acrylic painting—a turning point that would solidify her path as an artist. In 2020, she fell in love with oils, a medium that has since become an essential part of her practice.

Her faith in God and her devotion to art have been pillars of strength, guiding her through life’s challenges. Painting is not just a creative outlet; it is a language through which she processes emotions, navigates struggles, and finds joy. Now a full-time artist, Reilan signs her work as Rei and has found local success exhibiting alongside her husband, who is both a fellow artist and a steadfast source of support. Together, they cultivate a home filled with creativity, raising a daughter who shares their passion for art. Whether painting individually or as a family, they continue to push forward in their artistic journeys, striving to bring color, meaning, and emotion into the world through their work.