Llael McDonald is a Melbourne-born artist whose practice is moody, nostalgic, and rooted in the ordinary moments of daily life. Her still lifes elevate familiar objects into compositions that are both emotionally resonant and visually arresting. With underlying narratives that shift from viewer to viewer, her paintings ignite conversations about collective history, the diversity of culinary traditions, and the role of food in shaping contemporary society. For McDonald, food is more than subject matter: it is a unifying force, a shared language, and a testament to the endurance of culture across time.

McDonald’s path as an artist began early. Growing up in Spotswood, she showed a strong inclination for painting, which led her to study at the Independent College of Art and Design (ICAD) on Chapel Street, Melbourne. Under the mentorship of artist Terri Matassonni, she developed a disciplined approach to composition and graduated in 1996 with one of the top portfolios of her year. In 2019, McDonald expanded her practice abroad, working in Austin, Texas with artist Mark Carder. Immersed in new colour palettes and workflows, she discovered a lasting passion for still life, further refining the thematic focus that now defines her career. Today, her works are represented in both public and private collections across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Italy, France, and Norway.

Her exhibition history spans three decades and reflects both persistence and evolution. Highlights include early shows at 101 Collins, Melbourne (1995), the Melbourne Art Fair (2004), and solo exhibitions such as Studies in Light at Pantechnicon Gallery (2005). More recent presentations include The Banquet at Weswal Gallery (2021), Sumptuous at Sketch Co Gallery (2023), A Dozen Eggs at Berdoulat in Bath, UK (2024), and Savour at Michael Reid Southern Highlands (2024). She has also exhibited at major fairs, including the Melbourne and Sydney Affordable Art Fairs (2022, 2023). McDonald’s gallery affiliations have included Michael Reid (Sydney and Southern Highlands), Han Feng Art Space (New York), Compendium Gallery (Melbourne), and Art to Art (Melbourne).

Recognition for her work has been consistent. She has been a finalist in the Lethbridge Small Scale Art Prize (2014, 2022), the Bluethumb Art Prize (2017), and the National Emerging Art Prize (2023). She was Highly Commended at the Trentham Easter Art Show (2017, 2019) and has twice been awarded at Tacit Gallery’s Still Life Prize: winning the Curator’s Award (2022) and the People’s Choice Award (2023). These accolades underscore her ability to balance technical rigour with emotional accessibility, producing works that resonate across audiences and contexts.

At Cleo Collects, McDonald’s paintings bring warmth and lyricism to interiors, engaging with our ethos of bridging heritage and contemporary design. Her still lifes serve as cultural mirrors; visual feasts that honour shared traditions while sparking new conversations. Whether displayed in domestic settings or within layered curatorial compositions, McDonald’s works enrich spaces with both intimacy and depth.