Artist in conversation: Salle Bechara
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
In my early 20’s I did a lot of travelling. I saw what I could of Australia and New Zealand and then went through most parts of Asia, which included; Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Bali, Nepal, Japan, and Papua New Guinea. Seeing how all these different cultures expressed art through different forms, whether it be food, haberdashery, paintings, ornaments, etc., I noticed that they all had their own unique style. I had always been a bit quirky, and loved experimenting with food, music and even clothing. But it wasn’t until my early 30’s that my mind’s eye really began to change into wanting to put something to paper. That’s when I started Somewhere Above Level, or S.A.L., which is an abbreviation of my first name. I wanted to express the ideas in my mind from what I had been exposed to along the way and wanted to create something unique, fresh, and vibrant. After many years of working long hours and pretty much 7 days a week, I finally managed to find some time to put my artwork on paper. It started slow, only rough sketches with a marker or pencil on multiple sheets of paper. Then I would add colour, draw it again, then re-colour it, and keep going until I found the result I was searching for. There were many drafts, and lots of mistakes, but after a short while I managed to find my stride and keep moving forward.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a new project?
It really depends. Sometimes I find that I need to be relaxed and in a quiet environment. Ideally the sun is shining outside through the lounge room window, during the daytime, or I’m relaxing at night with some ambient lighting and soft white noise playing in the background. Then sometimes it just comes out of nowhere and I feel I have to put something to paper before it disappears from my mind. It’s a little sporadic, but when the creative spark hits, you just have to grab it and go with it as best you can.
How do you hope your audience connects with your work, and what emotions or reflections do you want to evoke in them?
I guess I try to create simple, quirky, vibrant pieces that make people feel happy. I think a lot of people live really busy complex lives, so they don’t necessarily have time to appreciate art fully, let alone express themselves creatively. I try and give them a piece of that time. I hope to inspire people to go on their own journey where they can step into a world of colour and simplicity and remind them that there is always room for art in life in any form, even if it’s only for a short moment.
What role do emotions play in your creative process, and how do you channel them into your work?
I think my mood does affect my work. I try not to create any works when I am in, say a negative state, which is not often, because that would be reflected in my artwork. I want my artwork to be positive and I want to give people who engage with it that same positivity. When I am happy or calm, I let the creative vibes express themselves through the artwork.
Can you describe your favorite piece you've created and why it's meaningful to you?
I would have to say my first piece, Licorice All Sorts – Boy Meets Girl. It was where it all began. I had this piece in my head for a long while whilst I was travelling,s and I really wanted to put it to paper. When I managed to start, there were many drafts, but eventually I reached my perfect imperfection. It represents the randomness of life. The pink and blue represent retro 70’s vibes of boys and girls, then added with the different thicknesses of black and white which represent the choices and paths we take. You can have a plan of how things are going to play out, but really, the universe just laughs modestly and says, you’re going this way instead. Hence, the Licorice All Sorts.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
At this stage, I haven’t had a huge amount of exposure, and really have only shown my artwork online and to some family and friends, most of which have been very supportive. They each like their own pieces, but I’m not too fussed really. If someone has some feedback that would help improve the process and make things more efficient, like different drawing methods, software, utensils I can use, then I would probably take that on board. If they don’t like the artwork, then that’s totally ok, as it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, None the less, I would still continue what I am doing in my own style.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
Making time is difficult, as we all live busy lifestyles. For me, I have had and very busy few years working very long hours, and I needed to put my artwork on hold just to survive. I am in the recovering and building stage again of that process and hoping to be back on track in another year or so. I would say I try not to push or rush the creative process, otherwise it will reflect in the artwork. Instead, I focus on what I need to get done, then when I’m in a good place again, I make the time happen again.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
It’s a great opportunity, and I am very grateful for being given that opportunity. The Holy Art reached out to artists across the globe, and I stumbled across them and put my name in the hat. I think what The Holy Art is trying to do is give exposure to underground artists across the globe so that artists can reach a wider audience. It’s a great thing, so I am thankful for their services and for their efforts.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
For me, my art comes and goes. I will come back around to it, once the time is right. That’s the beauty of it though, you can leave it for a few years, then have another influx of creativity that you want to express. Though I do think this will stay with me for life, and I’m hoping to have another fifty healthy years of life in me, so I will continue to evolve my drawing style using different tools, drawing and colouring methods. I won’t rush the process. I’d say there isn’t really a goal. I just want to share my artwork with those who appreciate it. If one day it finds itself in a store, online or in people’s homes, then that would great, but If not, I am still happy to share what I could express.
