Liza Desya

In 2023, I embarked on a 7-month solo backpacking trip through Europe, where I lived in rural communities in exchange for volunteer work. My exchange involved vegetarian cooking, farming, painting murals, and creating zines.

Umstieg In Der Sonnhalde - Black Forest, Germany

This was my first time painting a mural. This large-scale piece was inspired by the beautiful Black Forest mountains that surrounded this community.

Liza sitting in front of mushroom house fantasy mural

Photo of German house and hills that the painting was based on

Close up of happy little creatures living in community.

Painting of mushroom house on green hill, surrounded by happy little creatures

Annecy, France

I went to Annecy Animation Film Festival for the first time! This well-known "Café des Arts" had a community sketchbook, to which I contributed a plein-air gouache cafe painting.

Sitting outside a cafe, with a gouache painting of the scenery

Bhaktivedanta Farm - Watford, England

In collaboration with artist Shreya Joshi, we painted a large-scale mural for the entrance to the farm. The illustration was based on the vegetation and animals from the area.

Liza in rubber boots, standing on Bhaktivedanta Farm

All the volunteers sharing a potluck together

Colorful mural of organic shapes on a black outdoor gate, with Hare Krishna New Gokul Farm painted in brushscript

Alfoxton Park - Somerset, England

Storyboarded and illustrated a comic about the community and history of Alfoxton Park. The comic features the people who live at the park and sustain the ecological and spiritual community project with their time and love.