We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shoaib Shawl. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shoaib below.
Shoaib, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
There’s a quiet whisper that follows me, not with words, but with a brushstroke of light across my mind’s canvas. It’s a call, an invitation to dance with the unknown, to delve into the inky depths of my soul and pull forth hues unseen. “You walk being the mysterious, and I am led by the mystery,” this whispered pact with art murmurs, a pact where creativity becomes the compass, the fuel, the very lifeblood of my artistic venture.
Think of it like falling in love, except the object of my affection is not a person, but a process. A kaleidoscope of emotions poured onto a canvas, sculpted into clay, or woven into the tapestry of words. Each creation becomes a whispered confession of the heart, a vulnerability made permanent in form and color. This isn’t a journey for the faint of heart. It’s a winding path littered with doubt, frustration, and blank canvases staring back mockingly. But the whisper, it never falters. It guides my hand through the mess, urging me to embrace the stumbles, to see the mistakes as stepping stones on the path of self-discovery. These raw materials of experience, emotion, and imagination aren’t merely tools; they’re the alchemist’s fire, transmuting into something tangible that evokes feeling, sparks dialogue, and sometimes, a conversation between artist and self. Every brushstroke becomes a conversation, a bridge between the inner and outer landscape. My art has taken me to bustling city streets, where chaos inspires, and to quiet nature’s whispers echoing in leaves and waves. It has connected me to strangers who see their own stories reflected, and to fellow artists who share the insatiable hunger to unveil the mysteries within.
The beauty of this whispered pact is that it knows no bounds. It’s a language spoken in pigments and clay, in words and melodies, in every form of human expression. In conclusion, what keeps my creative fuel burning is the very whisper itself. The quest, the promise of unseen hues, the uncharted territories of self-expression, the endless dance with the mysterious that beckons with every brushstroke, every note, every whispered word. As long as the whispers call, I know I’ll be chasing the vibrant threads of my artistic tapestry, forever.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Whispers of ancient ruins, carried on Himalayan winds, painted my childhood dreams. Vibrant prayer flags danced against snow-capped peaks, echoing forgotten empires, each flutter a brushstroke on the canvas of my soul. Nestled in the cradle of my Pahari heritage, nature’s artistry became my first teacher, whispering secrets in the delicate hues of wildflowers and the weathered stones of forgotten temples. My brush, ever eager to capture these whispers, found its playground in the mountains, my art a tapestry woven from the echoes of forgotten empires and the quiet beauty of wildflowers.
But the wind, restless as ever, whispered of another canvas. Across the ocean, the bright lights of Los Angeles beckoned, promising a stage for my artistic dreams. I completed by BFA in Filmmaking from New York Film Academy after which I was grateful to have been selected in The Academy Gold Rising Program by the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, opening doors to the world of cinema, where mentors like James Bissell, Susan Benjamin, and KC Fox honed my skills like master sculptors shaping clay.
My short film, “Beads of Breath,” blossomed from the fertile soil of my Pahari culture, an enigmatic tale of love set against a backdrop of vibrant village life. Its journey began at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, captivating audiences and garnering accolades like Best Student Film and Best Actor at the Ayodhya and Indogma Film Festivals. Now, poised to enthrall audiences once again at the Kolkata Short Film Festival, it whispers stories of forgotten traditions to the modern world.
Under the kaleidoscopic lights of Los Angeles, my cinematic canvas sprawled vast and vibrant. Stepping onto the set of “Paper Flowers” as Art Director, I wove intricate narratives through brushstrokes of light and shadow. Music videos with B Praak and Mohammad Faiz transformed into electrifying dances of visuals and rhythm, where I donned the Production Designer’s hat, conducting a symphony of color and movement. Each collaboration, with diverse artists like Falling In Reverse, Ice Nine Kills, Don Toliver, Kim Dracula, etc. stretched my creative muscles beyond limits.
This past year, the whispers of recognition rose to a crescendo. Being named one of the “75 Creative Minds Of Tomorrow” by the National Film Development Corporation of India felt like a dream taking flight. The invitation to the 54th International Film Festival of India was a launchpad, propelling me into the 48-hour film challenge hosted by ShortsTV. There, alongside a fearless team, we birthed “La Mer,” a short film that now streams on ShortsTV on Amazon Prime, a testament to the audacious dreams we dared to paint into reality.
Yet, even amidst the glittering cityscape, the whispers of the Himalayas never fade. My brush, as restless as the wind, still seeks solace in the quiet beauty of canvas and paint, crafting artworks that soon grace the bustling art scene of Los Angeles. This journey, a fusion of cultures and canvases, is a testament to the boundless potential of art to bridge worlds and connect hearts. As I stand at this intersection, my hand in Hollywood and my heart in the Himalayas, I embrace the whispers of both, eager to share stories and create art that resonates with the world.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Gazing back at the winding path of my artistic odyssey, three guiding pillars rise above the rest, shimmering like oases in the creative desert. These are not mere skills or talents, but qualities of being that have woven the tapestry of my journey, thread by vibrant thread.
The first, burning bright like the Himalayan sun, is my insatiable curiosity. It was this inquisitiveness that beckoned me beyond the snow-capped peaks of my childhood, whispering tales of distant canvases and electric dreams. From the weathered stones of forgotten temples to the pulsating beats of Los Angeles music videos, I delve into every experience, gleaning stories and aesthetics like a magpie collecting treasures. This curiosity keeps me forever a student, eager to absorb and adapt, my artistic vision a kaleidoscope ever-shifting with new knowledge.
My second guiding pillar, forged in the fires of challenges, is unwavering resilience. Leaving my Pahari sanctuary for the dazzling chaos of Hollywood wasn’t a simple stroll through wildflowers. Doubt and rejections were my unwelcome companions, but I learned to wear them like battle scars, each one a testament to my refusal to surrender. It wasn’t always easy, but I transformed every setback into a springboard, using my resilience to rise above, push harder, and dream audaciously.
Finally, illuminating my path like a string of prayer flags against the azure sky, is the radiant spirit of collaboration. My journey hasn’t been a solo trek; it’s been a vibrant, messy, beautiful dance with fellow dreamers. From the sage wisdom of mentors to the electrifying synergy with artists, each collaboration has been a symphony of shared passion, enriching my work and opening doors like invisible magic.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Set life: a crushing vise on creativity, joy squeezed from every moment. My antidote? Emptiness. A quiet rebellion against the chaos. Burnout lurks when the set consumes everything. I believe no time for self is what causes mental and physical exhaustion. Therefore, I reclaim control by carving out space for… nothing. Paradoxically, pursuing nothingness is the hardest thing. Yet, like an empty cup, it allows the universe to refill me with magic. A key element for me to reach this stage is through the divine eastern qawwali music. I love Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s transcending voice and deep lyrics. It often acts like a cleansing storm of sound, washes away negativity, leaving me raw and open for the universe’s brushstrokes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoaibshawl/
- Other: shoaibahmedshawl@gmail.com
