Artist Stasha Lewis was born with creativity running through her veins. The daughter of Jazz drummer Bobby Palos and interior designer Tina Green, her appreciation and love of colour and beauty comes to the fore in her own creations.
Known for her vibrant paintings – such as those exhibited in her 2012 show COLOUR – her latest body of work, BlackLine, is stark in contrast; a series of 14 beautifully simple, black line drawings on a white canvas, these striking images express thought-provoking emotion through almost nothing. Intense and striking, each line imbues meticulously crafted meaning; ‘The Kiss’, depicted via a series of circles, captures the tenderness of a precious moment in time with such beautiful simplicity.
In a similar vein, we fired quick one line questions to Stasha while preparing for her latest show at the newly opened G&M gallery in Monaco. Here’s quick fire questions, with Stasha Lewis:
F.1.M. : How would you describe your style of work in three words?
S.L. : Changing, exploring, and evolving.
F.1.M. : How would you describe yourself in three words?
S.L. : Brave, sensitive, and determined.
F.1.M. : Why art?
S.L. : It was only ever going to be art. The need to produce something by using my hands, even when I was very little, was and is a very strong pull for me.
F.1.M. : Favourite medium to work in?
S.L. : Acrylic, pastels, pencil. And now clay.
F.1.M. : Favourite piece you’ve created?
S.L. : I fall in love with all the pieces I have painted: The Flowers, Little Red Apple Tree, and more recently, The Lovers. These paintings become very special to me.
Sometimes for reference, but moreover because I’m simply not ready to part with them. So I keep them. For me, and one day for my children.
F.1.M. : A dream project?
S.L. : I have a few! One would be to create The Diver sculpture on an enormous scale, and have it in a park or public place. Another would be an installation room, every piece painted or drawn. It’s hard to describe, but I can see it in my head.
F.1.M. : How has your style changed over time?
S.L. : My style is still very much me, just me on a different day. I’m constantly changing, constantly challenging myself to explore and go further.
F.1.M. : Professionally, what is your main aim?
S.L. : Recognition.
F.1.M. : Where do you find inspiration?
S.L. : Inspiration comes from inside. From how I feel inside, from what I see and what I want to express. It comes from colour and beauty. From happiness and sadness, and all that’s in between. The strength of emotion is a very powerful influence.
F.1.M. : Most treasured childhood memory?
S.L. : I had a wonderful childhood, with too many beautiful memories to choose from.
F.1.M. : A memorable piece of life advice a parent has given you?
S.L. : Stop and smell the roses.
F.1.M. : Your typical morning routine?
S.L. : LBC radio, tea, then coffee and a cigarette while reading the paper, followed by a shower.
F.1.M. : Who are your biggest influences?
S.L. : This is a difficult question. I’m influenced by beauty. But what I think is beauty. This can be so many different things. There is so much to see and feel… Artistically, at the moment I’m obsessed with Cy Twombly.
F.1.M. : What trends are you currently following?
S.L. : I don’t really follow trends. Never have.
F.1.M. : Favourite food?
S.L. : There is a restaurant in Mallorca where they filmed the Night Manager where the food makes you think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Failing that, smooth peanut butter, blackberry jelly on hot buttered white toast. Or a cinnamon bun. Extra icing.
F.1.M. : What are three things you couldn’t do without?
S.L. : Apart from the obvious answer of food, water and oxygen, my children and the man I love. (And a pencil!).
F.1.M. : Tell me about your next exhibition / body of work
S.L. : I’m working on a series of beach paintings at the moment, but I’m also very excited and looking forward to starting my next sculpture. It will be titled The Reader.