Interview of Velvet Stunner by Sophie Pellegrini // Black and white is simple yet bold to me.
Interview of Velvet Stunner by Sophie Pellegrini
Hi Shera! Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hello! I’m Shera, a 23-year-old freelance artist from Malaysia. I spend most of my time drawing, writing, and reading these days.
How did you get started with illustration?
I have to say that it started just recently to be honest. I was never into drawing or painting much growing up but instead I wrote stories and loved making handcrafts! Ever since I started my Instagram account last year which I started as a place to post my writings, I ventured into illustration to mix things up. I grew up loving to doodle mindlessly.
Tell us what your work process looks like.
My work process varies. I try to write every single day even if it’s just a simple line with three words. I will write it down on my phone and save it for later to make it into a poem or something and I usually draw whenever I feel like it or am just bored. What I can say is that I do not sit down and create art. I make art all the time, no matter the time or place. Usually when I’m eating or waiting in lines, lying in bed, in my car, something like that. My phone plays a big part in my working process. I do carry a sketchbook with me in my bag but most of the time I make art digitally.
What inspires your pieces, whether in drawings or writings?
People! When I first started to write poetry, it was during the time when I was in between classes at uni. I didn’t have friends so I tended to be alone all the time. Which is completely cool by the way because I enjoy my own company. So I like to people watch, trying to see what others are doing and absorb what I can see or hear (not trying to sound like a creep here, just observing). I also get inspiration from what I hear everyday. Whether from a conversation I just had, something on the radio, a song… I just adapt them to my own feelings to make it a lot more personal. In general, my inspiration comes from people, music, and feelings.
Why do you chose to work in black and white as opposed to adding color?
I don’t know how to explain this but it just feels right. Whenever I try to create something with colours, it ends up with me not liking the result. Black and white is simple yet bold to me.
You also write poetry; do you find there’s a connection between your writing and your visual art? Sometimes you feature imagery and text together, does the image or text come first in your process?
Most of the time, the words come first. I’m always thinking. So, I have words playing in my head all the time and then I will try to visualize it into my own interpretation. That’s the easy part. If I come up with an image to draw first, it’s a bit hard to find words to compliment it.
Do you have a favorite piece you have created?
I don’t. All the pieces that I’ve created have a special place in my heart.
If you could travel back to any point in time, what would you go back to?
I probably would want to see how it feels to live in the 50s and 80s. The fashion and music were great. Also this might come off as sentimental, but I would love to go back to 10 years ago and appreciate every moment I get to spend with my mum until there were none.
Who are some other artists that inspire you?
Definitely Tim Burton! I love love love his works as a director and artist. I grew up watching his movies and it would be a dream if I get to meet him one day! Other than that, I love Isle Valfre.
Where can we see more of your work?
You can follow me on Instagram at @velvetstunner and also check out my products at my shops: velvetstunner.bigcartel.com & payhip.com/velvetstunner to purchase and download my book! I am in the process of putting more merch out soon.
