We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ilirjana ‘Lala’ Sehu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ilirjana ‘Lala’, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
To keep my creativity thriving, I treat it with care, much like nurturing a delicate plant. I actively explore out new ideas, concepts, and experiences, constantly pushing boundaries. Embracing failure is crucial, as it often leads to unexpected discoveries. I prioritize rest and relaxation to recharge my creative energy. Surrounding myself with inspiring people and environments fuels my imagination. Moreover, I continually challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone, it boosts my confidence and resilience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Hello, I’m Ilirjana ‘Lala’ Sehu, a contemporary artist whose life has been a mosaic of determination, healing and discovery. I’m an Albanian born in Kosovo, Southeast Europe, raised and shaped by experiences from living in Kosovo, Croatia, France, California, and New York. My art reflects the collection of emotions interconnected into my life journey.
After experiencing two wars in the Balkans in the 90s, one in Croatia and one in Kosovo, and losing my beloved husband to cancer after a three-year battle, I couldn’t paint for over a decade. I lost my inspiration and motivation, experiencing an artistic blockage. After my daughter moved to the US to pursue her acting and filmmaking career, leading a bicoastal life, I got back my long-lost inspiration from the fabulous landscapes of Los Angeles and the magical and unique atmosphere of New York City. Supported by my daughter, Hana Noka, who offered constant encouragement, support, and love, I revitalized my passion for painting, using art as a medium to honor memories and heal wounds.
My art is a commemoration of pain, love, and hope, it blends elements of abstract expressionism and surrealism, capturing the raw beauty of imperfect turmoil and distorted memories. Inspired by artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem De Kooning, my art has traveled across continents, showcased in exhibitions from Montmartre to the Hamptons.
I hold the position as the Regional Director/Ambassador for the North East Region at the International Association of Art (IAA-USA), UNESCO official partner. It gives me joy to support member artists by offering resources and services such as seminars, exhibition opportunities, international exchange opportunities and to celebrate and promote UNESCO’S declaration of World Art Day on April 15th with nationwide events.
I’m privileged to share my story—a narrative of love, loss, and renewal—through the universal language of art.
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?
There are several qualities, skills, and areas that have profoundly influenced my journey. Resilience has been instrumental in helping me bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and persevere through life’s challenges. Continuous learning and a willingness to develop new skills, both personally and professionally, are crucial for staying relevant and fulfilled. Empathy, the ability to understand others’ perspectives and experiences, fosters compassion and meaningful relationships. My advice for achieving significant goals in life is self-discipline. Cultivating self-control and motivation is essential for realizing long-term goals and maintaining personal integrity.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Following the loss of my beloved husband, I found myself overwhelmed by profound grief, struggling to navigate the intense waves of sorrow. The devastation became increasingly challenging to endure. In the midst of this pain, I needed to gather every ounce of strength to support my only daughter, who was just 15 years old when this unimaginable tragedy struck our family. As the author Kel Carpenter so eloquently puts it, ‘Grief makes us strangers even to ourselves.’ This sentiment resonates deeply with me, expressing the profound transformation that grief brings. For over a decade, among the pain, I remained focused on persevering as a single mother. However, in that inner struggle with memories who can be a minefield, I lost my motivation to paint. Unaware of the healing power of art, I couldn’t see the potential for creativity to restore me. Little did I know then that this period of hardship would eventually lead to a profound transformation.
Since rediscovering myself, when I feel overwhelmed—especially when negativity drains my energy and I’m just trying to get through the day—I turn to a simple strategy: incorporating something I love into my routine. Whether it’s spending the weekend painting, visiting an art museum, or immersing myself in uplifting music, I ensure I make time for activities that bring me joy. The crucial step is injecting positivity into your life, redirecting your attention from overwhelming negativity. Essentially, my advice is to actively pursue in finding a passion, it can be a journey of self-discovery. It’s like stumbling upon a hidden treasure buried within oneself. When you finally unearth that passion, it’s like a fire igniting from within, fueling your every action and thought.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artworkbylala.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilirjanasehu/
