Shadi Shaay (@shadishaay) creates art that carries a rare balance of softness and emotional depth. Drawing inspiration from nature, femininity, memory, and the quiet strength that can grow through vulnerability, she builds a visual world that feels both intimate and resonant. Her journey began in childhood and, over time, evolved into a distinctive artistic practice shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a deeply personal connection to self-expression.
What makes her work especially compelling is the way it transforms inner experience into images filled with grace, symbolism, and feeling. Beneath their delicate surfaces, her pieces speak of healing, reflection, and the courage to remain open to both beauty and pain. In this interview, Shadi reflects on her creative path, her intuitive process, and the emotional truths that continue to shape her art with sincerity and quiet power.
🟥 Can you share a bit about your background and the journey that led you to becoming an artist?
Sure, my creative journey began at the age of four with nothing but a bedroom wall. I have participated in many private and public art courses ever since, learning oil painting, figurative art, portrait drawing, acrylic and charcoal drawing. When I had my fist computer I started drawing with Paint, and several years later I still remembered my passion towards art and technology so started drawing digitally. Since minting and selling right away my first NFT in May 2021, my work has been exhibited globally, including in NFT Bitcoin Conference 2021, Art Basel, Seoul, Singapore, Beijing, Miami, NYC, and various Metaverse group displays.
🟥 Was there a defining moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue art seriously?
Yes, in 2020 with the pandemic I lost my full-time job and I started drawing again. The pandemic made me think that life is too short not to follow my passion and talent.
🟥 Do you remember the first piece of art you created, and what inspired you to make it?
I actually do not even remember my first artwork unfortunately as I was only a child. But I remember I used to draw on paper or directly on the wall of my bedroom. I used to draw human figures and portraits and create a story of the life of the people I was drawing. Sometimes I drew plants, objects and animals as well.
🟥 What inspires you the most when creating your art?
The natural world around me serves as a constant source of inspiration for me. I celebrate femininity and mental health, using my work as a powerful voice to inspire, encourage, and heal. It explores the power of symbols, colors, and the contrast between movement and stillness to transform complex emotions into meaningful images.
🟥 Are there specific activities, rituals, or moments that fuel your creativity?
Absolutely, I take pictures, look into other people’s art, enjoy nature and I believe these serve as the fuel of my creativity!
🟥 How would you personally define art, and what deeper meaning does it hold for you?
I believe every artist has its own definition. For me art is highly personal and is created freely and willingly. I translate painful experiences into vibrant colors and simple, uplifting forms. I call it practicing visual resilience, which is not ignoring the pain, but redesigning its impact on life. Through this process I softly explore vulnerability and inner strength and ultimately create something that has a bigger meaning.
🟥 What part of the creative journey excites you the most—conceiving an idea, the act of creating, or finishing the piece?
Well, I am highly excited once I have an idea. I mainly can not wait to work on it and expand it. I also very much enjoy the finishing touches and find them very entertaining.
🟥 Do you follow a structured plan when creating art, or is your process more spontaneous?
I believe I mostly have a spontaneous process. It can start with a structured idea and at the same time finish into something different sometimes. I enjoy letting my art surprises me, follow the flow instead of planning the creative process and enjoy seeing where it takes me if that makes sense!
🟥 What time of day do you feel the most creative, and why do you prefer that time for your work?
Mainly at night. Yet I honestly appreciate anytime I feel the most creative and full of new ideas.
🟥 Do you listen to music while creating, and how does it influence your process?
I listen to music, podcasts, Youtube. I think they make the process of creating a piece even more enjoyable.
🟥 Do you have any specific rituals or routines you follow before starting a new project?
I take pictures as reference, or search for a specific figure of portrait I have in mind. Then I decide the overall colors and start the new project.
🟥 What is the most challenging aspect of creating art, and how do you navigate those?
The most challenging aspect I believe is that art can be unpredictable but this is also one of the most surprising and enjoyable parts as well so it does not bother me. Art block moreover is challenging but there are ways to navigate through that. Like, doing something different, watching a movie, reading a book or walking in nature to recharge the creativity source.
🟥 What keeps you motivated during times when creativity feels like a struggle?
Well, as I mentioned previously, sometimes doing something else or letting it be for a while can be helpful. I walk in nature, watch a movie, listen to different music and basically try something else without pushing through too much!
🟥 Can you share an experience or lesson that contributed the most to your growth as an artist?
One thing that comes to my mind is to practice everyday and experiment new things.
🟥 Is there a piece of advice you received that completely changed the way you create or think about art?
How to overcome artblock and be easy on myself was one piece of the advice that helped me a lot to create while protecting my mental health.
🟥 When you view a piece of art, what qualities or emotions do you look for?
I would say both of them. Bringing to life emotions is a part of mastery in art and I believe is related to the quality of the artwork. For me an artwork is not just about the techniques but how to use them to evoke emotions.
🟥 How do you perceive art’s purpose and its impact on individuals and society?
I believe art exists because the artist felt a deep internal need to express their own emotions and purposes. In its commercial forms, it can take on several different definitions. However, when I say ‘internal needs,’ I don’t mean it stands in opposition to the impact it can have on society. Like the example of myself, I create a personal meaning but at the same time it has the power to impact others.
🟥 In your view, what do concepts like “passion” and “uniqueness” represent in art?
Passion is something that I already talked about in the example of internal needs. It is beyound just liking what you do. While uniqueness is an individual fingerprint. It is the combination of an artist’s personal history, their specific skill set, and their perfections and flaws.
🟥 What are the non-negotiable essentials in your workspace?
Oh, let’s see! A comfortable place to sit and something to listen to are my essentials.
🟥 Do you have a favorite tool or object in your studio that holds sentimental value?
I have several favorite tools in my studio, but one of them that I really like is a vintage banker’s lamp.
🟥 What’s the one thing you always need by your side while creating art?
The most important thing for me is to be somewhere peaceful and quiet to think and develop the first ideas.
🟥 Who are the artists or people you admire the most, and why?
I genuinely admire people who are so authentically themselves that they make you feel comfortable and safe around them. People who have lots of good things to teach you.
🟥 Imagine you could create a piece of art in collaboration with someone from history. Who would you choose and why?
Well, since I am currently working on a piece inspired by Sandro Botticelli, I would name him. And, I would choose him because of his famous linear details, floating figures, and his obsessiveness about nature.
🟥 What’s your superpower?
I think my superpower is empathy and emotional depth. And in art is being vulnerable while maintaining inner strength, and, holding space for both the heavy and the hopeful events.
🟥 What does success as an artist mean to you—recognition, impact, or something else entirely?
Well there are many factors and it can be discussed in many contexts, such as philosophy,… However, I think of an artist’s impact on the world around them as a success.
🟥 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?
There are many, but I would like to highlight one of my pieces titled ‘I am Magical’.
It explores the journey of discovering yourself through the eyes of others and the practice of self-love. It is actually based on a true story of my early experiences in the NFT space.
This piece is special to me because it speaks to the beauty of loving and caring strangers. People who may not know you personally, yet see something meaningful in you through your words and your work. It is my way of showing appreciation for their openness and generosity, as well as contributing to my own journey in finally seeing myself for who I truly am. What makes this even more meaningful to me is my collector who told me after purchasing it, that he immediately felt connected to the piece once he saw it. I put the caption of this piece to read.
“You are magical”, they said!
And I thought: “Oh, they’re being so nice”. The second and third time I have been told this, I thought: “Oh, thank you! But this can’t be a coincidence” And it took me some time to see myself through other people’s eyes!
Like every human, I have my weakness. I am not perfect, but one thing that now thanks to the people around me I know, is that I have strong roots! I am magical… So, my leaves might change color, but my roots stay the same. I am grateful to know this!
🟥 What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I dream to create art that helps and influences other people in a meaningful, inspiring way. By helping I simply mean creating work that allows people to resonate with it, to see a piece of themselves within the art.
🟥 How would you define a “creative person”?
I define a creative person as someone who is deeply curious and eager to explore new ways of doing something. Someone who asks ‘why’, ‘what if’ and ‘how’in a resilient way. In an example of myself, deep down I hold onto the curiosity of my younger self. The little girl playing and creating imaginary stories for quite everything around her. For me, creativity is making sure her curiosity and playfulness stays alive in everything I do today as an adult.
🟥 In your opinion, what are the positive and negative differences between being an artist today and being an artist a century ago?
The positive difference to my view is that, today we can easily connect to other people, and our audience online. Making art today is not about staying in our bubble. It is about exploring the world.
The negativity on the other hand could be for instance the fact that art was allowed to be a slow process in the past. Now it is pushing us to please the algorithms and, the modern artist can not just focus on being an artist.
🟥 In your opinion, what are the best and most challenging aspects of being an artist?
In my opinion, the best aspect is to turn the ideas into reality. And, the challenge is that inspiration is not infinite. It needs to be recharged like a battery.
🟥 What advice would you give to aspiring artists who want to build a meaningful career?
The best advice I could deliver to other artists is to focus on expanding your artistic skills, while staying curious and creative. Create authentic art that is unique for yourself first. And last but not least, build an audience that truly appreciates your work.
Relevant Links:
Linktree: linktr.ee/shadishaay
Instagram: instagram.com/shadishaay
Twitter: x.com/shadishaay
Note: The answers given by the artist have been quoted verbatim. There has been no editing. This preserves the artist’s authentic voice for our readers.
