Unveiling the Artistic Journey: An Exclusive Interview with Ellen Sheidlin

_{Ellen Sheidlin Interview https://www.instagram.com/sheidlina/}

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Your artworks cover various styles and themes, from surrealism to fantasy. What inspires you to explore such diverse forms of artistic expression?

_{I believe that my works do not fit into the fantasy genre but rather flow from reality to virtuality and dreams, creating a style of "survirtualism" in which I work across different mediums. I am inspired by everyday objects and the search for something new within the familiar things we see every day. I particularly enjoy portraying animals, birds, and the sky. I like to fully surrender to the desire to create with any material, without limiting myself.}

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Your Instagram feed is filled with captivating self-portraits that often blur the line between reality and imagination. How do you approach creating these remarkable visual images?

_{I listen to myself. I look for an image that will grab you, bite you in the throat. It provokes conversation and conflicting feelings. When I find it in my sketches, it's easy to convey it to the viewer. You are always the first viewer of your art, and you should be amazed! Astonished by what you found in your head. Sometimes imagination is brighter than reality, so why not make it a reality too? That's what I think when I create ideas like a room filled with sand where 3-meter fish bones hang or where a lover draws a portrait of a beautiful girl on roses.}

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We have seen your collaborations with brands such as Guerlain, Apple, BMW. How do you integrate your personal artistic style into commercial projects while maintaining authenticity?

_{I pay close attention to those who are my "dance partners." I familiarize myself with the brand's history, its product, and what is important to it. I create a portrait with my ideas. What can I bring that's new? What can I emphasize as an artist? What can I capture? How can I make it visually successful amid such a huge visual content? I love to follow the principle of "knowing more and clear tasks and deadlines," and I already apply my "associations and images" to the structure that a particular brand has inspired in me. I need to be amazed. Always, always evoke emotion. Let clothes be inflated like balloons, and Apple laptops be birds in the sky, because just like in clothes, you feel lightness, and with a laptop, you soar to deliver the highest quality.}

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Your art often touches on themes of identity, femininity, and self-expression. Could you share with us the significance of these themes in your work?

_{Of course, I experience the idea through my body. Every project, even commercial ones, becomes a means of self-reflection. In the era of the internet, identity becomes both vivid and anonymous. My works say, "I'm here. I exist. Here's my idea." Fears are overcome by action. Femininity in my art is more than gender; it's about sensitivity and emotions inherent in every person. It's about honesty with oneself.}

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Your digital illustrations are characterized by intricate details and vibrant colors. Could you tell us about your creative process, from conception to the final artwork?

_{First, I create a sketch. I draw it in different variations to understand it better, to see the most interesting details. Then comes the creation of decorations. I can sew a costume, build sets, and do makeup. And all this emphasizes my main idea, where every element is part of one scene. Then I take a picture of myself and what surrounds me. The concept is a dialogue. I look at many pictures, visit museums, and read books to trigger a series of stories in my head that eventually turn into the final artwork. Every Sunday, I create new sketches with ideas in my sketchbook, just like that, so that I can always come back and add new feelings. My inner camera of reality, which I then print through my hand with a pencil.}

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Your art has gained significant popularity on social media platforms like Instagram. How do you use social media to engage with your audience and showcase your work?

_{I like the YouTube format, where I can talk about my steps toward my main dream: to be globally significant in the world of art as a woman artist. I like stories. People can see my life and understand that it's no different from the photos. That I am who I am both in art and in life. I write articles, respond in chats. My community is important to me; it's my strongest part—it's their faith and support. Exhibitions are also crucial! Live exhibitions where I give lectures, tours, and hugs.}

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Your participation in art exhibitions and events demonstrates your desire to share your creativity with a wide audience. Could you tell us about your experience exhibiting works in galleries and at events?

_{In 2017, I created my first solo show with photo works in St. Petersburg. By 2020, I released the first series of oil paintings and held a solo show in Tokyo. In 2021, I moved to Florence and held a solo show with a 3-meter head that visitors could enter and see the painted inner walls. It's been 24 years, and I'm still amazed by the opportunities I have to travel with my paintings around the world. The exhibition in Melbourne just ended at the end of April, Bangkok is in August. Next year Seoul, and in 2026, Rome. And that's just what's confirmed!}

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Your journey as an artist has been marked by significant growth and recognition. What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to establish themselves in the competitive art industry?

_{Remember that behind every "no" hides a "yes." Don't be afraid of difficulties and don't give up. Faith is the brightest force that will lead you to your dream of becoming a great artist. Look at me! Point your finger and say, "she did it," and then try! Try and never give up.}

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