Hayley Axelrad / Starlet

Hayley Axelrad is a contemporary oil painter whose work transports viewers into hedonistic, often absurd worlds that challenge the myths surrounding success, luxury, and desire. Axelrad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from McGill University and has a background in fashion styling. She studied classical realism at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, where she developed a strong technical foundation before evolving her distinct, irreverent style.

Her paintings are a playful yet poignant exploration of the tension between outward perfection and inner discontent. Humor is a defining characteristic of her work, which remains decidedly unpretentious and light-hearted. Axelrad’s characters, frequently holding a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, inhabit spaces where excess and vulnerability collide. Her thick, textured oil paintings are distinguished by bold colors and a matte, almost chalk-like finish.

Axelrad’s work has been exhibited in Toronto, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, and has been featured in Elle Decor and The Globe and Mail.