We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonaz Izadi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sonaz , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I find that my resilience comes from my belief that all things happen in the timing that they need to. As an artist and performer, I’ve spent a lot of my life in spaces that yield rejection, and criticism. It wasn’t until I changed my perspective of rejection itself, that I became the creative I am today. One of the most important things to me is self-growth, and I came to learn that with every push back on my art, there was an opportunity to learn something pertinent about myself. My choice to move forward and continue this seemingly tenuous cycle, was not just to achieve something greater, because that will undoubtedly come, but rather to learn about the parts of myself that simply don’t allow me to stop- stop showcasing my art, stop creating for the sake of it, and stop testing the limits of my vulnerability, even when the needle of success doesn’t seem to be moving, and my time would be better spent soley focused on monetary gain.
It’s true that what scares us, teaches us the most, and each time I wrote a politically charged poem, asked strangers if they’d like to be painted, sent my art to a magazine for potential publication, or even posted a 10 second video on Instagram, the gum got chewed a bit more, and the flavor of fear dissipated. I don’t really even like gum anyway, but I guess that’s the point. 🙂
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University with a BFA in Acting. I now reside in Los Angeles as a multidisciplinary artist and coach. I’ve spent most of my life as a performer, however I have yielded toward visual arts quite heavily. I create and sell handmade pottery and spend a majority of my time painting commissioned works. As a coach, I help individuals work through anxiety with the use of mindfulness, and artistic outlets. Art has informed my wellbeing for many years, and it brings me joy to share what I’ve learned with others.
My paintings are abstract depictions of the moment in which they are painted. No plan, no color preference, no outline, just feeling in the moment. I call them “Energy Paintings.” They are one of a kind and hold the energy of the recipient. I’ve really enjoyed creating these pieces. Whenever I purchase art myself, the most intriguing part is the individuality of the piece and the story that comes with it. Every piece I paint allows me to share a fleeting moment with those that purchase it.
I am currently working on a solo exhibition that will incorporate new and past works. The series is called “Anther.” My art yields itself to quick energetic brush strokes, much like the unique, never repeating- anther, found in flowers. The Anther of a flower also holds its essence or energy- the pollen. I find that flowers share my sentiment when it comes to beauty, in that no flower is the same, and each one I paint is completely abstract, nonexistent or likened to what we see in nature.
Regardless of medium, my hope is that my art welcomes a better understanding of one’s own “essence” or vitality in any given moment. I wish to inspire personal realization, visceral emotion, and meaningful communication between those that view it.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities/skills/areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey have been, authenticity, consistency, and community.
Authenticity: It has always been important that I stay true to who I am and what my purpose is. My purpose is to connect, and yield a better understanding of myself and others through my art. It can be easy to get lost in mainstream ideals and I find that creating what I love no matter the reception has not only allowed me artistic freedom but personal clarity. Art is subjective within any medium, and I’ve come to learn that being authentic yields true connection and growth. Nothing is more important.
Consistency: I find that creating habits, even small ones, is essential to success. I recently read the book, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It is now a staple. Even on days that I don’t feel like touching a paint brush, I dip a few brushes. Creating a routine that feels good and leaves me energized is key. I light my candles, I pour my coffee, I set out my paints, I prep my brushes, I paint. I kneed my clay, I set my wheel, I grab my sponge, I play. I get my notebook; I get my pen – you get the idea! Even on days that I scrap my work, it’s okay because the process of practice was most important anyway.
Community: Though I mention this last, it is probably the life blood of my process. My friends and loved ones are everything to me. I’ve been so lucky to have support from many wonderful people in my life. Nurturing relationships is not only good for your wellbeing but also essential as a creative. All art informs other art, and the more I connect to my community of artists, the more I expand my skills, and mindset. Essentially, you attract your circle, and mine is pretty damn lovely!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I love a collaborative environment. The thing that makes me most happy is facilitating and creating genuine relationships. I love meeting new people. I love conversing with strangers, creating with like-minded humans, indulging in the contrast of a heated (respectful) debate. I love to learn, and I think people are the greatest teachers. All people. I find that I’m most at peace when I’m given the opportunity to truly connect. My art allows me to really communicate with others through expression and also give back to communities that may feel like they haven’t had the same opportunities to be heard and connect themselves. I especially love connecting with those whose medium seems in dissonance with my own. It is from those relationships that I learn the most. Let’s make art, learn about each other, and create purposefully!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sonazizadi / @mudandpaintco / @_radbean
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BQD7%2BRgLhSVCQuXlLMuBwRw%3D%3D
Image Credits
Cole Kiburz Lacey Walker Jessie Perez Brian Inocencio Austin Song Dustin Bloodgood Marisa Van Den Borre
