Leila Simon Hayes is an abstract artist and award-winning designer, known for bold color combinations, playful patterns and unique mark-making.
Video by Sue Murad, editing by Molly Brock at Cowboy Collective
“I’m enabling expression to emerge on its own without a plan in place, without an outcome in mind and without representation of anything tangible. It might represent an internal state of mind, a feeling, a desire. I work from a mode of improvisation, a practice I’ve explored for decades in different mediums. I wait for the “click” I feel when I know a piece is complete. The way I get to that place, how long I need to wade through the middle zone, my response to the process, is different every time. And to me, that is the whole point, it’s an ever-changing exploration.”
color and form
"Bespoke patterns with beautiful energy and layering, Leila is a master of color and form. It was a delight see the inspiration, process, and conceptual thinking behind her stunning work."
Lizzie Vaughan
Art Director, Chronicle Books
unique mark-making
"Leila presents a really arresting selection of patterns. She has a bold, confident use of color and interesting, unique mark-making. It is really confident work."
Janine Vangool
Editor, UPPERCASE Magazine
bold patterns
"Not only is she a beautiful person, Leila has been a delight to work with. I discovered Leila’s bold patterns and beautiful work when I
needed her the most!."
Michelle Pohler
Founder, Hello Fears
The full cover story
You may have noticed that I launched the 2025 calendar pre-orders with one cover a few weeks ago, and a new cover this week, and...
The top 5 questions I get about framed prints—answered in 1 minute!
Less stress, more color
More from the “for later” basket
My first big remix
The “for later” basket
It’s always there for me
LSH x Nooworks
Big zigzag energy
Let customers speak for us
Love the colors and the design!
High quality postcards. I love the designs!
These beautiful calendars make me happy throughout the year -- and then I use them for cards the year after that!
These cards are striking and make the perfect holiday gift. Of course I kept one set for myself!
Love the Leila Simon Hayes calendar. It's the perfect gift because it is enjoyed and used throughout the year, and then the delightful art can become postcards/stationary, wall art, etc!
Thanks, Leila!
Just received my burst postcard pack in the mail. They are so vibrant and delightful! I can't wait to send these delights to my friends and family to let them know I'm thinking of them. :)
This is the only calendar I buy every year—just received my 2025 preorder in the mail and I can't stop swooning over it. The quality is exquisite and it's truly a piece of art that's also functional. And I love that it has life even beyond the year it marks—the illustrated pages are fine art prints that you can frame and save (or share/gift if you can bear to part with them :)).
Leila’s designs are so beautiful and the quality of the cards was excellent. The recipients loved the cards and I enjoyed thinking about which color card suited each recipient best.
Cannot wait to send these out to friends and family, they are gorgeous cards!
I love mixing my favorite drink with this beautiful design. It never ever gets old! I have gotten so many compliments on it over the years...the gift that keeps on giving!
But I know that if I wait a little while, there might be a new fave...
...is receiving this calendar every fall.
