We were lucky to catch up with Sheila Fein recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sheila, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I believe in taking the critic off my shoulder. When I first began to work as a digital artist I was lost in the technology. I looked up everything and asked people I thought who could help me. I practiced and by trial and error I learned what I needed to. This is an ongoing process. Because I am not afraid to start from nowhere or to make mistakes, my self esteem remains intact.I accept the level I am at and appreciate where I am at any given moment. One moment leads to the next and with self acceptance, time and space, most anything can be accomplished.
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?
I am a fine artist and an illustrator. As a fine artist, I love to use my imagination to create one of a kind figurative, and portrait images with acrylic, oil, oil pastels, pastels, color pencils, Tombow ink pens, and the airbrush. I look for opportunities to sell and show my canvases and drawings. This February, my work was picked to be in the Aristocratix Show (Art District LA), a figurative group show. I am showing images of some of my favorite figurative models in LA I have drawn at my studio. Here is a link to the work that will be there. https://aristocratix.com/product-category/sheila-fein/?orderby=price-desc&fbclid=IwAR0Ul0hubaWucfYWwrkkO4WcV6j-0W4_CyORNYw7tBKERU4mjmKdRkNLMik
On the flip side I love to work digitally to create book covers, children’s books for others and myself, as well as general illustration. I recently co-wrote and illustrated, Pookie and Dookie Become Friends with author Robyn Flans of Drummer Interviews, https://www.robynflansdrummerinterviews.com/ Pookie, a boxer dog, and Dookie, a guinea pig are very different animals and sizes. Our story shows how they become friends and family. In addition, shortly to be released is the latest book I have designed and illustrated, Oklelani’s Enchanted Wheelchair Under the Sea! written by Alexandra Sanchez. It was a labor of love which took us over a year and a half to accomplish. I am proud to have illustrated the underwater life and reefs of the Gulf of Mexico (The Great Mayan Area) along with Okelani and her ‘Enchanted Wheelchair.’ This book is a fantasy story for children with disabilities and for all children to enjoy and learn from. It is a great joy for me to work with publishers or authors looking to self publish. I can design the book, the cover, lay it out, create the files, and illustrate the story.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I am a self taught artist in many regards, especially digitally. I believe in learning from doing and when we need to do something we have never done, to seek the knowledge and put in the time to make it happen. For any project I am working on there is always that moment when my flow stops. That is when I dig in and free my mind by giving myself permission to have some space. I go do something unrelated which helps me to regenerate. Then I come back and tackle the finish. Also, I have four creative daughters (the Fein Sisters) who I go to for feedback. Each one can pinpoint why I am blocked on a certain area which helps to speed up my process. As artists and creatives we do not always have the answers we immediately need. Thank goodness for our subconscious and for people who are close to us! Seeking the information we need, looking to others when feedback is needed, and doing the work, gets my work done and gives me that much needed feeling of self satisfaction.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I love when someone comes to me with a vision of what they want. Whether it be figurative, a portrait, a book cover, or a story to illustrate; creative passion will follow. When I am working with someone, collaboration and the free flow of ideas is very important. Judgements need to be suspended so brainstorming which leads to problem solving can happen. This is the most important step for me especially when a client has a short deadline. The other aspect is to make sure time is left for changes. Though, sometimes the best work is created from what we thought was a mistake or seemed to come from the blue. And when the job is done to celebrate!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sheilafein.com
- Instagram: @sheilafeinillustrator. @sheilafein
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheila.fein.9
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilafein/
