By Sian Shin
"‘Mess is more’ is something Jeff Rogers once said in a piece of his. And it’s also my own little mantra.” – Sheila Khalili
Born in Iran, the extraordinary artist Sheila Khalili hails from a family of artists: an architect father and a fashion designer mother. Together they moved to Canada, which was not a difficult cultural move, as Sheila assimilated quickly into Canadian culture.
"‘Mess is more’ is something Jeff Rogers once said in a piece of his. And it’s also my own little mantra.” – Sheila Khalili
Born in Iran, the extraordinary artist Sheila Khalili hails from a family of artists: an architect father and a fashion designer mother. Together they moved to Canada, which was not a difficult cultural move, as Sheila assimilated quickly into Canadian culture.
Since the age of six, Sheila has always been a passionate artist. When she is not spending her day in the art studio, she has vigorous practices with her hip-hop crew at the North Shore Academy of Dancing, five hours a week. During what little remaining free time she has, Sheila enjoys reading, listening to music and relaxing – “nothing like a nice lazy day,” as she says.
Numerous artists such as Frieda Kahlo, Van Gogh, Karin Jurick, and other countless street artists have inspired Sheila’s passion for her art. She says, “I admire their art and them as artists. They inspire me and motivate me.”
Although Sheila loves working with pencils and pencil crayons, “the basics” as she calls them, these artists inspire her love to get messy with pastels and inks. Sheila’s creativity is boundless; she is constantly thinking of new ideas for her art to grow and to advance. As she puts it, “I think making a piece out of fabric or thumbtacks would be cool.”
As her inspirations have truly changed her art and her view of the world, Sheila strives to one day inspire as well. To those aspiring young artists just like herself, she says, “Be yourself, create what makes you happy, enjoy what you are doing, and remember that ‘mess is more’.”
Although Sheila loves working with pencils and pencil crayons, “the basics” as she calls them, these artists inspire her love to get messy with pastels and inks. Sheila’s creativity is boundless; she is constantly thinking of new ideas for her art to grow and to advance. As she puts it, “I think making a piece out of fabric or thumbtacks would be cool.”
As her inspirations have truly changed her art and her view of the world, Sheila strives to one day inspire as well. To those aspiring young artists just like herself, she says, “Be yourself, create what makes you happy, enjoy what you are doing, and remember that ‘mess is more’.”
When it comes to her philosophy of art, she has the following inspiring words to offer:
“Art is applied creativity. You can make anything you want, say anything you want, and that really leaves the question of what it is you want to say or express – whether it be a mood or feeling. What I love about art is that it doesn’t need to be translated or defined; art can speak every language – as corny as that sounds.”
“Art is applied creativity. You can make anything you want, say anything you want, and that really leaves the question of what it is you want to say or express – whether it be a mood or feeling. What I love about art is that it doesn’t need to be translated or defined; art can speak every language – as corny as that sounds.”
Although Sheila is planning on going into commerce at university, is this artist going to give up her passion and talent for art?
“Art will always be a part of me, I can’t imagine not carrying a sketchbook with me, everywhere I go.”
Thankfully, we can look forward to many more creations arising from the sketchbook of this gifted artist.
“Art will always be a part of me, I can’t imagine not carrying a sketchbook with me, everywhere I go.”
Thankfully, we can look forward to many more creations arising from the sketchbook of this gifted artist.