Meet the artist and explore the heart behind the creations
Venado de Noche began long before it had a name. In 2018, I moved away from home for the first time to live in Bogotá with my sisters. While it was an exciting change, it was also one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was far from my parents and, most importantly, far from my beloved cat and dog, who remained in my hometown. At the same time, I was working in an environment that didn't make me happy, surrounded by circumstances that left me feeling disconnected from myself.
I've always been a curious person who loves learning, creating, and exploring new skills. During that time, I started looking for creative outlets and enrolled in several online courses. One of them introduced me to needle felting, a technique that instantly captured my attention. I began researching materials, gathering supplies, and spending countless hours learning and practicing.
A year later, I returned to my hometown and continued developing my skills while pursuing a specialization in Marketing. Then came 2020 and the global pandemic. Like many people, I found myself spending most of my time at home, searching for ways to stay inspired and connected to the things I loved. One day, someone who had seen my needle felted creations on social media asked if I could make a replica of their dog. I said yes—and that single commission changed everything.
The name "Venado de Noche" (Night Deer) was inspired by one of my favorite animals (the deer) and by my favorite time of day—the quiet hours of the night, when creativity seems to flow most naturally.
Hi, I'm Alejandra Leal, the artist behind Venado de Noche. I'm a Colombian artist, Industrial Designer, and lifelong animal lover. Every replica you see on this website is designed, sculpted, painted, packaged, and shipped by me. Animals have always been at the center of my life. Today, I share my home with three beloved companions: Nina, a senior dog with a gentle soul, and my two cats, Leia and Cora. Living alongside them reminds me every day why the bond we share with our pets is so meaningful.
Creativity has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father was a painter and one of the most creative people I've ever known. His love for art left a lasting impression on me and continues to inspire the way I approach every project. After he passed away, I began learning oil painting as a way to navigate grief, honor his memory, and feel connected to a part of him that still lives on through creativity. Although we never had the chance to paint together, that journey brought me closer to the artistic world he loved so much.
My background in Industrial Design influences the way I think about form, structure, proportion, and detail, while needle felting allows me to bring warmth, personality, and emotion into every piece.
Every pet has a story. Here are some of the beautiful moments we've helped preserve.
Some animals leave a mark far beyond the people who knew them personally. I never had the chance to meet Ángel, yet his story stayed with me from the moment I first heard it. What happened to him was heartbreaking...
Coco was deeply loved by his family. When they asked for a wool portrait of Coco, there was something that made this project especially meaningful: they wanted it to be more than a representation of what he looked like, they wanted to keep something of him close. So they sent me one of his tiny teeth...
Amelie's story told by the person who loved her most: “Amelie, you were the best little cat. You were well-behaved, intelligent, gentle, and kind. Sometimes, when you got into a fight with one of your siblings, you would be the one who ended up losing...”