We were lucky to catch up with Farah Billah recently and have shared our conversation below.
Farah , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Optimism. oof-okay. I think once I realized that I can accomplish things outside of what was expected of me, the world opened up. I grew up knowing that I would have a very specific future: law school, stable job, marriage, kids. Honestly, now that I’m a little older, parts of that doesn’t sound so bad. It wasn’t really about that, though, it was about choice. I stressed so much about not living up to expectations – it devastated my mind, strained my relationships, and gave me crippling self doubt and anxiety.
Anyway, once I stepped one foot out of that world, the weight was lifted and it was the first time that I felt like if I made a choice for myself, the world wouldn’t come crumbling down. It was liberating. My optimism comes from every wild step that I’ve taken that was completely my choice, whether the results were good or not. When I was successful, I was so proud of myself. When I wasn’t, I figured out a solution no matter how many turns it took. I was the queen of figure it out. Now I love having no straight way to complete and project. I feel like if I work hard enough, build enough relationships, lead with my heart – I can figure out anything.
I don’t want the world. I only want a few things that are incredibly important to me, and I’m extremely optimistic that I’ll get there. And if not, that’s okay. Things only have the importance that I give it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
For years, I focused my energy on poetry – it’s still one of my first loves. I moved to New Orleans in 2019. I got my MFA in Painting and Drawing and started a more rigorous art practice. I became a full time muralist painting interior and exterior spaces all over the city and now I’ve helped refurbish a train, many client houses, and soon I’ll be a part of team painting the food truck plaza under the Claiborne bridge.
My brain works in project mode. I created Turmeric Moon, where I make silk scarves. the first collection was of detailed designs of the individual zodiac signs, the second collection coming out is dedicated to ethnic diasporas. The company is focused on individual identity, pride in this vintage scientific botany style art.
I am working on a big ol’ ornate coffee table book, illustrated in that same vintage style. This book is dedicated to home remedies and homeopathic medicine I learned from my mother, with a focus on artwork that highlight the plants involved. Keep an eye out for that.
I’m pursuing the study of ethnobotany, focused on ritual and herbal practices of indigenous populations, specifically in what is now Bangladesh.
Hoping to one day come out with the 2nd poetry book.
I’m still a full time muralist, with mural festivals and books open for the 2025 year (winks). I am expanding the service to outside Louisiana and hopefully to the west coast.
I’m not really sure where my career is going past these projects, I like leaving that to future me. I know these will keep me occupied for a very long time, and I believe my next steps will found on these journeys.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Focus, passion, and community.
Of course, to complete any large undertaking, without focus things will never get done. But in this want to talk about passion and community. I have been victim to thinking I have to do everything myself, but it simply not sure, and surely not as much fun that way. I have been extremely lucky to be in New Orleans with a thriving and supportive creative community, but wherever you are: build a community. Having people to bounce ideas off of, work next to, to support you is so important. Cultivate the world you want your work to belong to.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who wants to bring culture and detail design to the forefront of your space. If you want a mural to create a vibrant, welcoming space by the hands of someone who will take your mission to heart, I’m your girl.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.farahbillah.com
- Instagram: @paintguava
Image Credits
turmeric moon photos by @dmnqphoto
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
