POST SCRIPTUM English__ Feb 2021

the glass of the window and feel a connection to
something ritual and indescribable. I’m still working
on my art studio in Chicago, which is my second home.
I can’t tell I’m satisfied with the working space here
so far. I know how it’s supposed to be! My plan is to
build the studio somewhere deep in woods, to be
surrounded by old trees. It’s going to be a glass space,
so I will be able to feel involvement with nature. The
mixed smell of fireplace, coffee and oil paints, music,
replacing each other seasons beyond the windows, a
couple of easels, my favourite chair and a cat – this is a
humble picture of my dream studio. It’s coming)
How long does one painting take?
There is no particular time for completing one
painting. Each peace has a different character as a
person. Sometimes it takes a week, sometimes –
weeks. Sometimes I think that it’s still a lot of work
to go. Keep coming to the canvas staring at it for
hours (days sometimes), and then suddenly just one
brushstroke finalizes the painting and it becomes so
clear that the painting is finished. It’s always mystery
and a puzzle which you must unravel. Especially if
you paint a portrait. First of all, you have to get along
with the person you paint. (But it’s a totally different
story I can talk about it for ages!). I’m not talking
about commissions of real people, but about nonexistent
portraits, which appear to this world from my
imagination through my canvases.
Do you paint every day?
Every day I’m in my studio. I work there. Work includes
painting process, stretching the canvases, looking
for the right character I want to paint next, learning
something new about colour combination, technique,
textures, styles. It’s a process. Contemplation.
What other hobbies or interests do you have?
My hobbies are very conventional. I think it helps
me to ground from my paintings. I like outdoors and
indoors. I never feel locked if I spend days inside. I
even don’t notice it. It seems opposed, that I travel
through times and miles! I read a lot or listen to some
interviews with people I find distinguished, watch
captivating videos. So, time flies by even I don’t leave
the house. Also, I love baking! For me it’s some sort of
meditation. I walk. I discover new places I never visited
before, or opposite – continue visiting over and over the
same place I’m in love with. I love traveling by car.
I know you had a very special, beloved friend in your
childhood: Mickey Mouse. From an early age, you
drew and painted this character by copying it from a
sticker brought from abroad. Fortune has come full
circle now that you work for Disney. How did your
collaboration with Disney come about?
Disney is associated with pop culture, does an artist of
your calibre, so carefully educated, mind the fact that
you are associated with American cartoons?
Our life is full of unpredictability and surprises. There
is a beauty in it. They say there are no accidents.
Everything happens for the reason. In late 2001
my works attracted the attention of a major Disney
affiliated creative artist management agency. I was
somewhat resistant to the suitors’ initial courtship,
who, nevertheless, continued being persistent in their
promises to bring me to the United States, to launch
American exhibits of my paintings, to expose new public
of my art , and to connect me with American artists
. By March 2002 the agency succeeded. I visited Los
Angeles and became a licensed Disney Fine Art Artist.
Disney is more than pop culture. It’s everything! It’s a
religion, god, love, memories, happiness, purity and
innocence. It’s an enormous part of American culture!
To be honest, I feel so honoured to join this community.
And I’m still Irene Sheri. I’m not a cartoonist. For Disney
I paint impressionistic portraits of children interacting
with Disney toys. I don’t get out of my style. Remember
once I recalled my teacher’s statement? “Doesn’t
matter what we paint. It’s matter how we paint! “.
What, as an artist, do you wish for?
As an artist I wish I continue connecting with others
through my art, engaging with the world and reflecting
on myself. When we experience art, we also have the
privilege to experience raw emotions and an inner
connection to our deepest being. What an incredible
thing! I wish it lasts for ever! [RC]
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