“I believe in the magic of sketching,” shares Pariya (@parisketchya), a contemporary painter and sketcher who brings a vibrant, colorful world to life through her art.
With a philosophy deeply rooted in the spontaneity of “live, on-location sketches drawn from real life + stories,” Pariya’s work captures the ephemeral beauty of human connection and everyday moments.
Her journey as an artist is a testament to following one’s deepest passions, transforming simple observations into profound visual narratives. In this exclusive art interview, join us as we delve into the enchanting world of Pariya, discovering the inspirations, rituals, and unique perspective that define her captivating artistic voice.
🟥 Can you share a bit about your background and the journey that led you to becoming an artist?
Like many children, I had different phases of liking a particular profession, from wanting to become a shepherd since I adored sheep, to a snow engineer — a term I had made up myself. But I remember I’ve always liked painting.
🟥 Was there a defining moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue art seriously?
Art has been my all-time passion and deep down I always knew that eventually I was to pursue it by all means. But after focusing a lot on my personal growth, a series of meaningful events led me to restart a path that brought me to where I am now.
🟥 Do you remember the first piece of art you created, and what inspired you to make it?
I don’t remember the first piece. But one of my earliest memories related to creating art is a notebook where I painted Disney Characters. I remember adding a finishing touch by going over the lines with a dark pen, I guess. Kind of like my pen sketching lines nowadays.
🟥 What inspires you the most when creating your art?
People are my greatest source of inspiration. Tiniest details such as a woman’s curls or a special hair clip they might be wearing or a guy’s undivided attention while working behind their laptop can inspire me and lead me to start a whole sketch.
🟥 Are there specific activities, rituals, or moments that fuel your creativity?
A couple of years ago, I decided to let go of the need to ‘always be in the mood for sketching’ and decided to create regularly. But of course there are certain activities which boost my creativity to a great extent, from meditating to repeating affirmations, daily gratitude, talking to God, spending time in nature, burning smudge or simply taking care of my soul. I also need some quality me time to recharge and maintain balance.
🟥 How would you personally define art, and what deeper meaning does it hold for you?
To me, art is any form of creation which comes from the heart and the soul of the artist. For me, in order for something to make sense of art, it needs to hold the essence of the artist. In other words, when looking at their creations you can feel their essence through their lines, their special color palette, and their voice (in any form).
🟥 What part of the creative journey excites you the most — conceiving an idea, the act of creating, or finishing the piece?
I cannot tell which part excites me the most. Each step fascinates me in one way or another. From the creating process, which makes me get lost in the moment, to finishing a piece I really like which makes me want to look at it over and over again, every part of this journey has its own sweetness. Sometimes when I finish a piece and get back home at night, I feel so excited that I don’t want to sleep!
🟥 Do you follow a structured plan when creating art, or is your process more spontaneous?
I’m more of a spontaneous type of artist. But the plan is always deciding which place to go, looking around that place and sometimes changing seats until I find the right subjects — people who are inspiring and interesting to me–then creating spontaneously.
🟥 What time of day do you feel the most creative, and why do you prefer that time for your work?
I mostly associate sketching with evenings as a lot of people spend their evenings at cafés — places I go to the most for sketching — and therefore that’s a great time for me to create.
🟥 Do you listen to music while creating, and how does it influence your process?
Since I sketch at public places, I usually listen to music being played at those places accompanied by the hum of people. This way I can feel the vibe of the place which I believe can make my creativity flourish.
🟥 Do you have any specific rituals or routines you follow before starting a new project?
I don’t always have a certain ritual to start a project but I sometimes burn smudges before going out sketching. I also like to use a few drops of a particular essential oil which I believe has a magical quality. :)
🟥 What is the most challenging aspect of creating art, and how do you navigate those?
For me, it’s probably finding the right subjects to start an artwork. I learned to accept what a particular day offers to me when it comes to that and see it as a way to make progress. In other words, I might not see the subjects I want on a particular day, yet, it’s still an opportunity to sketch.
🟥 What keeps you motivated during times when creativity feels like a struggle?
My previous artworks are really motivating to me. Sometimes I look back and get amazed at how I created them as if some power inside me had created them and that fuels me to keep going.
🟥 Can you share an experience or lesson that contributed the most to your growth as an artist?
As a matter of fact, I had given up my passion for sketching (drawing) for a long while. But I always knew something was missing in my life. Then, I realized it was my soul’s need and started over and since then I’ve been happy deep inside. I learned that we must pursue our hearts’ deepest passions.
🟥 Is there a piece of advice you received that completely changed the way you create or think about art?
Yes. A mentor once said something like this which was really inspiring : “Your art is you. Don’t try to be anyone else.“
🟥 When you view a piece of art, what qualities or emotions do you look for?
I look for authenticity. The artist’s personal touch or signature.
How do you perceive art’s purpose and its impact on individuals and society?
Art helps us connect with our feminine creative side — whether we are women or men. And we all need to pay attention to that side in order to be able to enjoy moments. Art makes the artist and those who resonate with their art feel good. And we should not underestimate the importance of feelings in this life.
🟥 In your view, what do concepts like “passion” and “uniqueness” represent in art?
Passion and uniqueness are two of the most personal and significant aspects of art. To put simply, an artist creates a piece of art led by their passion and bring that piece into life through their unique voice / style.
🟥 What are the non-negotiable essentials in your workspace?
I don’t have a fixed workspace as I create art in public spaces. But I always need people around me so I can sketch them. :) And of course my pen.
🟥 Do you have a favorite tool or object in your studio that holds sentimental value?
As I stated before, I don’t have a studio as I sketch in public places. But my sketching essentials are all precious to me. I particularly like my several pencil cases each having a particular pattern.
🟥 What’s the one thing you always need by your side while creating art?
My true self. :)
🟥 Who are the artists or people you admire the most, and why?
Henri Matisse for his boldness, especially in the way he used colors. Pablo Picasso for his audacity and innovative character. Marc Chagall for creating art mainly based on his emotions and Vincent Van Gogh for his passion, colors and unique brush strokes. I also like Gustav Klimt for his delicate patterns depicting femininity.
🟥 Imagine you could create a piece of art in collaboration with someone from history. Who would you choose and why?
Probably Henri Matisse because I feel deeply connected to his style and colors. I think we would make a good team.
🟥 What’s your superpower?
My hands are my magic wand and I believe my ability to use them for sketching is my superpower. It always amazes me how I start with a blank paper, and how it turns into a whole visual story in the end.
🟥 What does success as an artist mean to you — recognition, impact, or something else entirely?
First and foremost, it’s the inner satisfaction of doing what you are meant to do which I believe is not comparable to any other feelings. And of course, being recognized for your passion is rewarding.
🟥 Can you tell us about a piece of your art that holds a special place in your heart and why it’s so meaningful to you?
It is said that for an artist, their artworks are like their children — and that’s true for me. All of them are valuable. But there’s a particular one, Rosy Connection, which I sketched on a day when I was feeling down but decided to go sketching to feel better. The artwork is a colorful, happy sketch like my other pieces, because that’s what I’ve always intended to convey through my creations.
Rosy Connection was my first artwork to be featured on Objkt.com’s front page, shortly after I joined the NFT space — which was a nice achievement. It was later chosen to be printed as postcards and traveled to Paris during Art Connect, a side event of NFT Paris, through @ArtChains and @AmirMushich. It has recently been chosen to be showcased at NFT NYC. When I look back at the day I created it, and the journey it took afterward, I feel so grateful and this piece holds a special place in my heart.
🟥 What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I want to keep sketching and telling stories through my artworks for the rest of my life. I also would like to participate in IRL exhibitions. I am also thinking about creating my own sketch-inspired products and writing a book which includes my sketches.
🟥 How would you define a “creative person”?
We are all born creative. But first, a creative person knows they are creative — and therefore, they create.
🟥 In your opinion, what are the positive and negative differences between being an artist today and being an artist a century ago?
One of the most important privileges of being an artist today is the ability to connect with the whole world through social media and platforms, leading the artists to widely express themselves. (Totally impossible in the past.) As for the positive aspects of being an artist a century ago, I love the fact that people were fully in touch with nature which was really beneficial to recharge their soul and therefore their creativity.
🟥 In your opinion, what are the best and most challenging aspects of being an artist?
The best aspect of being an artist is the fact that you always carry a magic wand with you. No matter where you go.
The most challenging one might be the fact that some ordinary people might not understand your artistic side, which is ok I guess. Cause artist or not, we all have different unique sides and not everyone gets them all.
🟥 What advice would you give to aspiring artists who want to build a meaningful career?
Firstly, follow your heart. It might sound cliché, but it’s the best advice. And “take the first step with faith. You do not need to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step. “ — as it has been quoted in the book The Secret. Take your dream seriously, take the first step and the path will be clear to you one step at a time. The world definitely needs your uniqueness.
Relevant Links:
linktr.ee/parisketchya
Note: The answers given by the artist have been quoted verbatim without any editing to preserve the artist’s authentic voice for our readers.
