Expressing the Human Experience with Sheida Shekarian
Sheida Shekarian is an illustrator who uses humor and narrative-based visuals to depict the human experience. She was born and raised in Iran and is currently based in the suburbs of Toronto. Sheida says, “The unwavering humour of the Iranian people as a form of coping mechanism during hardships has influenced much of my character and creative work as an illustrator.” Many of her drawings are detailed and complex scenes of people and creatures engaging in various activities. It is fun to look them over, slowly, and try to understand the characters and story unfolding. Though she has worked in several other creative fields, she finds herself always drawn to illustrative work.
$1.20 a pound, 2021
What would you like people to know when they first come across your artworks?
My hope is that people will feel something when they engage with my work, whether it's excitement, a spark of inspiration, a sense of nostalgia, happiness, or curiosity. My artistic process is driven by emotion, fueled by the things or people that have excited or inspired me. What I aim to convey through my work are these very emotions, extending the essence of what I've felt to resonate with others.
When thinking about where you are in your journey, what are you most excited about and what keeps you inspired for the future?
When I reflect on my journey, what excites me most is the uncertainty of where it may lead – be it a career in the creative industry or a sense of fulfillment through the pursuit of my passion as a hobby. My inspiration for the future stems from the continual process of experimentation and self-reinvention. The fact that I will never reach a point where I feel I've "made it" or finally "arrived" serves as a constant source of challenge and excitement.
If you could go to dinner with any artist, who would it be and why?
If I were to choose an artist to dine with, it would probably be Edward Gorey. While I've drawn inspiration from numerous artists over the years, Gorey holds a special place in my heart. He was the artist who inspired my fascination with storytelling through images, which has become a cornerstone of my own artistic expression. What draws me to Gorey is the intriguing blend of humor and darkness that permeates his work, resonating with my own sensibilities. His unconventional sense of fashion, affection for felines, and academic pursuits in French literature at Harvard, add an intriguing layer to his persona. Moreover, his mission to evoke a sense of unease in his audience and the uniqueness of his work showcase his commitment to individuality in all aspects of life. Gorey's ability to embrace his uniqueness is incredibly inspiring.
By the Sweat of Their Brow, 2023
What is the best piece of advice you've been given?
There are two pieces of advice that stayed with me when reading Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Big Magic:
"I have a friend, an aspiring musician, whose sister said to her one day, quite reasonably, ‘What happens if you never get anything out of this? What happens if you pursue your passion forever, but success never comes? How will you feel then, having wasted your entire life for nothing?’ My friend, with equal reason, replied, ‘If you can't see what I'm already getting out of this, then I'll never be able to explain it to you.’"
The second advice, as explained in the book, was American writer Richard Ford's response to a man whose spirit was crushed by rejection and disappointment in his pursuit as a writer:
"Sir, I am sorry for your disappointment. Please believe me, I would never insult you by simply telling you to persevere. I can't even imagine how discouraging that would be to hear, after all these years of rejection. In fact, I will tell you something else - something that may surprise you. I'm going to tell you to quit. I say this to you only because writing is clearly bringing you no pleasure. It is only bringing you pain. Our time on earth is short and should be enjoyed. You should leave this dream behind and go find something else to do with your life. Travel, take up new hobbies, spend time with your family and friends, relax. But don't write anymore, because it's obviously killing you. However, I will say this. If you happen to discover, after a few years away from writing, that you have found nothing that takes its place in your life - nothing that fascinates you, or moves you, or inspires you to the same degree that writing once did... Well, then, sir, I'm afraid you will have no choice but to persevere."
What is one thing you wish you'd be asked in an interview?
What role money has played in my artistic journey. Money is a major deciding factor in the personal and professional lives of creatives and I wish it was talked about more openly.
What music are you listening to these days?
I'm not really listening to any music these days. I've been playing TV shows in the background while I work. At times I find myself craving distractions as I draw and having a TV show run in the background seems to satisfy the urge for distraction and allow me to continue to work.
Hushed Tones, 2021