We were lucky to catch up with Bernice Shaller recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bernice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
As a child, I was always drawing, painting and writing poetry to cope with my experience of living in my house. When I did my art, all became quiet and peaceful in my world. I could function more easily and deal with the trauma that was always present in my house.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The process that brought me into being a full time Artist, painter was gradual yet I know at a very early age that I must find a way to continue working in my chosen field. My mother was a painter and a teacher and my father was a violinist, played the piano, organ and harmonica. He was also a mechanical and electrical engineer as well as a rocket scientist. My folks did everything they could to prevent me from pursuing an artistic career as they knew the hardship it could cause due to societal constraints. But I was relentless and continued to peruse an artistic career. I copied from the masters at the National Gallery of Art to teach myself how to paint. I drew incessantly wherever I went and attracted commissions. When I was drawing on the metro one day when traveling to the NGA to work on a copy, a man commented on my drawing and asked if I would be willing to draw him along with President Bush and his wife Barbara. I thought the man was pulling my leg so I asked him for his card and said I would get back to him. I looked him up and he was sincere and I got the commission. I taught drawing and painting and worked at other jobs to pay the bills. I still find immense pleasure, satisfaction and peace when I work. Recently 2 of my artworks were chosen to be included in the The Lunar Codex, a collective of thousands of works of art, curated by and conceived of by Dr. Samuel Peralta, landed on the moon on the craft Odysseus, as a collaboration between NASA and Intuitive Machines. The Lunar Codex, a collective of thousands of works of art, curated by and conceived of by Dr. Samuel Peralta, landed on the moon on the craft Odysseus, as a collaboration between NASA and Intuitive Machines. Now that my art lives on the moon, it is getting published in the book ‘Manifest for the Moon’. I am so very humbled to be included in this prestigious collaboration. There have been many wonderful and amazing folks that have accompanied and helped me along the way. I have traveled and painted extensively throughout my life all over the world including places like Jamaica, St John Virgin Island, Paris, Italy as well as Taos, New Mexico and other places in the US and abroad. I love teaching as well to introduce folks to the joys and growth that comes with being an artist. I am so very grateful to be able to pass along what I have learned about my process of working.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the actual effect the act of creating inparts to my soul. For me painting is a spiritual activity and when I work, I am transformed…when finished, it’s like waking from a dream. Hours have passed which seemed like minutes and I am not always delighted with the results(there is always more to be done)but I know that eventually I will arrive at a reasonable conclusion or I will trash the whole project and begin again. Creativity is a delicious and delightful process that can include frustration and head scratching. I love passing on what I have learned to others. That’s the great reward, that is to be of service to other human beings.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 1991, I developed small airways disease (a form of asthma) as the result of painting in a non ventilated studio with oil paint and solvents for a number of years. My doctor told me to stop painting or my disease would continue to progress. So I researched other mediums looking for a non-toxic and safe way to continue painting. I came upon egg tempera which was used in the fourth century BC. Since I never went to art school, I didn’t know what I could and couldn’t do. I developed a unique technique using egg tempera, updating a method used centuries ago. I often combine gold leaf with the egg tempera.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @berniceshaller
- Facebook: BerniceShaller
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernice-shaller-72075961
- Youtube: youtu.be/la4lvhma5dc + 1
- Other: https://Artsy.net/artist/bernice-shaller
Image Credits
Bernice Shaller