Lily Ruleva-Downes

Studio Address: 3202 Austin Ave

​Lily Ruleva-Downes is a Bulgarian-born visual artist known for her expressive oil and acrylic paintings that capture the vivid beauty of landscapes, florals, and portraiture. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, Lily's artistic journey is defined by an international perspective shaped by years of creative exploration across Europe, Asia, and North America. Her formal dedication to developing her craft began in Daegu, South Korea, where she took painting and drawing classes in 2012, followed by receiving certifications in Art Appreciation in both 2013 and 2015. She later expanded her technical study in Newmarket, England, completing further coursework in painting and drawing in 2017. Working primarily in oil on canvas and acrylic, Lily combines structured technique with intuitive brushwork. Her portfolio spans tranquil landscapes, rich floral compositions, and evocative portraiture, each work emphasizing depth, color harmony, and atmospheric mood. Lily has shared her vision with audiences internationally and locally. Her work was featured in an exhibition in South Korea in 2016 and exhibited in New Bern, North Carolina, in 2023. That same year, her contributions to the regional arts community were recognized when she was named Artist of the Month in New Bern, North Carolina. Today, she continues to create original artwork informed by her global travels and lifelong passion for fine art.