Interview With Artist: Shalla
by Galina Kovshilovsky
Why do you do what you do?
I am an artist….I have to paint…. It feeds my spirit….. It’s how I communicate with the Universe and all that is good in the world. I believe it’s because our souls crave intimacy and expansion. This is why I have to paint
What’s is your background?
You see, I come from the old, ancient traditions of Persia. Where women become wives and mothers. It was frowned upon to have desires other than children and beautiful homes. Which felt like a death sentence to me. It seemed the more creative or more sensual I got, my husband felt threatened, I guess.
What art do you most identify with?
What can I say? All kind of art, mostly, paintings, because they express all that I cannot put into words, any language or even a religion. A painting is where all the desires hang out and touch each other.
What work do you most enjoying doing?
It depends on my mood…… I get involved in a subject matter and enjoy painting in different ways for days, I just get carried away with the subject matter that fires up my emotion, the paint, the colors, rhythms, shapes, texture and sultry repetitions take over me and create a dramatic scene that is so delicious I think they want to be devoured.
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
My mom just couldn’t, didn’t understand me. Why did I have a ballistic fit in front of Sacre’ Coeur in Paris? I was eight years old when I first saw artists with their easels out front the cathedral, it was at that point I knew I had to paint.
Can you describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Inspiration came when I had to make a choice to follow my heart which meant to stand for what I believe and leave my four beautiful boys behind until I made it big enough in America. They are all in the US now :)
Why art?
To me, art is my lover, my prayer or meditation, it’s my soul yelling to others to “please witness my beauty, honey.” It is expressing my vivacious spirit and overflowing emotions.
What is artistic outlook on life?
The world of reality has its limits, the world of imagination is boundless. The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery, and to live out of the box. Sometimes art brings excitement or tranquility and sometimes it’s just plain sexy, honey. An art needs to entice, excite and get to the point so you can feel something. Well if you don’t feel something then the artist is not reaching your soul. Paintings are meant to be reveled, absorbed and enjoyed, just like life’s experiences.
Emile Zola, writer: "If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I an artist, will answer you: I am here to live OUT LOUD"
What makes you angry?
Not being able to express my vivacious spirit and emotions would make me a prisoner in my soul.
What is your dream project?
I am living my dream project now……I am interior designer, as well. I had to work for a design company for years and didn’t have much time to take care of my passion that is painting! I got the chance to quit my job end of last year….now, I am full time and devoted artist…..my dream has come true.
What is your favorite or the most inspiration place in the world?
Nature pampers my soul and inspires me to be creative. When I start painting, the triangle created between me, my canvas and my brush takes me to meditation and enlightenment stage, gives me the feeling in paradise……
What is your goal?
You might feel a little sexy or even a little tension when you receive my paintings messages. I think that’s because some tensions in life are unavoidable. Just like my life. When you look back at the decisions you had made and followed your heart, you feel wise, fortunate and grateful all at the same time. I hope I can introduce a little of my universe to art lovers…….
Happy Painting, Shalla