Shadia Zayed is an artist who will forever remain near and dear to my heart! I met Shadia about 9 years ago (when I still lived in Michigan) after I signed up to take her acrylic painting class. It was Shadia who taught me how much fun it is to play with Golden acrylic mediums. And she's responsible for my addiction to adding interest to my paintings with interference paints.
Since studying acrylic painting techniques with Shadia nearly a decade ago, her passion for creating, her commitment to blazing her own trail as a self-employed fine artist and muralist, and her over the top scary - in a good way! - annual Halloween parties continue to inspire me. So this month, my teacher and friend, Shadia Zayed shines in the She Lives Creatively Spotlight.
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| That's Shadia (on the left) and me (on the right) during her visit to Denver in 2010 |
Marcella: You are
a fine artist and you own Ambiance Design Studio, a decorative painting and
mural company. What are your favorite types of wall treatments or murals to
paint?
Shadia: I am
always most excited to paint children’s rooms.
Not only are they the most fun to paint because they tend to be more
vibrant and colorful, but also the children get so excited and have so much awe
and interest in art, so it’s great to see their reaction to the process.
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| Calvin & Hobbs children's room mural |
M: How do you
balance creating your studio work, which you show in several galleries
throughout Michigan, with decorative and mural work you create for your
clients?
S: Honestly, it’s challenging. I have found what works best for me at this
stage in my career is to set one specific weekday, each week, to focus strictly
on my studio work. I certainly paint and
work on marketing my business on other days as available. But holding a
specific day exclusively for art has helped me re-focus the direction of my
career. My intention is to gradually up that ratio of 4 murals/faux days to 1
art day, until my work is exclusively in the fine art realm rather than the
decorative art realm. What’s important
to me is consistency, so while I don’t have a definitive date for that goal, I
know I am working daily to get there.
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| Shadia' art at the Urban Pearl in Northville, Michigan |
M: You recently
hired an assistant to help you with decorative painting and murals. What types
of duties do you delegate to her?
S: Presently, her
duties are primarily in the preparation of the room. She helps tape, drop cloth and sometimes does
base coating. She is gradually learning
different faux techniques and, as a very skilled artist herself, recently
assisted on mural projects by laying out some sketches.
M: How has hiring
an assistant improved your creativity and your business’ productivity?
S: As all people
who are self-employed assuredly learn after some time working for themselves,
it is very easy to get in the “habit” of doing EVERYTHING on your own. Hiring an assistant has greatly improved my
productivity by helping realize my time is best spent where I have the most to
offer. Sure, I can tape a room expertly in preparation for a decorative
painting project (after over a decade, anyone could)…but my expertise and time
is better spent doing things for which I am uniquely gifted. This understanding has enhanced my creativity
by allowing me the added flexibility in my schedule to commit to the weekly “studio
day” I mentioned earlier
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| Before and after faux finish mural work |
M: Did you always
know you wanted to be an artist? Who, or what, inspired you?
S: I knew I wanted to be an artist as soon as I learned
what the word meant in kindergarten. We
learned the idea of a “career”… you could be a nurse, a police officer
etc. Having already realized I loved to
paint, (I would literally bring home my finger paintings from school and
re-hydrate the tempera paint with water so I could play more) the idea that
anyone would ever pick another career when the option of “artist” existed was
crazy!
M: For 10 years or
more you have been hosting the most creative Halloween parties I have ever
attended! What is it about Halloween that inspires you to create a new costume
and decorate each year?
S: I still carry my childhood excitement of Halloween with
me today. I remember getting so excited
about Halloween as a kid…poring over all the potential costumes, all just to
race around in the dark with that little bit of spookiness was so much fun. I wish I could go trick or treating still! Since
I can’t I, I bring that memory to my parties by going overboard on decorations
and lighting, so I can help create that little bit of spookiness and tons of
fun feeling I remember as a child. Costumes, naturally, are mandatory!
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| Shadia (right) and her sister Judy (left) in costume for Halloween |
M: What tips and
advice have you learned for planning and hosting a memorable Halloween party?
S: #1 – Unique
décor. I feel it adds so much to the ambiance and success of a party when you
create an environment and a mood. I don’t mean just store bought skeleton cut
outs and plastic pumpkins….I mean go all out!
For example, a few years ago I was in the middle of bathroom remodel
when Halloween rolled around. As I
stressed about finishing the room and repainting the walls in time for the
party, I had a great idea. I dug out
some red paint and made bloody handprints and drips around the bathroom
walls. Coupled with red lighting, scattered
body parts and hanging ‘flesh’ I created with foam and paint, the scene was
horrifying. The bonus? I didn’t need to worry about repainting the
room in time!
#2 – A killer play list is essential. I play the list in advance while I decorate,
to ensure it flows well. I time it for
“Thriller” to show up around midnight, just in time to announce the costume
contest winners.
#3 – Involve your guests.
It can be overwhelming putting all of this together. Get your friends and guest engaged by
soliciting menu ideas, playlist suggestions, costume ideas etc.
M: What are your
self-care practices (nutrition, exercise, etc.) that support your health and
vitality, to in-turn support your creativity?
S: I started running in 2006 after getting divorced. It helped me feel calmer, healthier, quit
smoking and deal with anxiety. I am now
an avid runner, and I have run 2 full marathons and participated in over 50
races and events. My long runs feel
almost meditative to me, and I get lost in thoughts, the beauty of the being
outdoors and in daydreaming about creative projects. Additionally, I’ve been vegetarian for over
20 years. I feel strongly that my choice
to not kill other living beings supports my vitality by making me feel
connected and in alignment with the Earth.
M: If people want
to learn more about you, or your business Ambiance Design Studio, where should
they go?
S: The best place to check out my fine art is www.artofshadia.com. To learn more about my work as a muralist and
faux finisher, visit www.ambiance-designstudio.com
M: Thank you Shadia!
Happy Halloween!
S: Marcella, thank you for hosting this unique site, and
being a creative resource and inspiration to all those you touch!
