We were lucky to catch up with Ida Rezaee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ida, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I regret not starting sooner, but I do not fault my past self for any perceived lack of judgment. I understand that we make decisions based on what we believe is best at the time. The challenge lies in forgetting the circumstances and mindset of our past selves when evaluating our actions with our current perspective and experience. I constantly remind myself that it is never too late to begin pursuing something, especially when it aligns with my passion.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

This is a story that I don’t recall vividly, but according to my mother, I was so tiny that I couldn’t even sit up straight. Despite this, I always had a pencil in my hand and an insatiable urge to draw on any surface I could find. Throughout my school years, I excelled in all things creative and art-related. However, I never dared to entertain the idea of making a livelihood from art. Instead, I channeled my creativity into what I perceived as “safer” creative fields such as graphic design, UX/UI design, and hard surface 3D modeling. Despite my success in these areas, I found myself unfulfilled by client work.

Last year, I finally mustered the courage to pursue my lifelong dream and launched my small business, offering archival prints of my original artworks. While still in its early stages, I am eager to learn the ropes of running a business and striking a balance between the creative and business aspects.

I create intricate and detailed artwork that showcases animals and nature, which hold a special place in my heart. My pieces are tailored for nature enthusiasts who share my passion for flora and fauna. When I dive into a new project, my main goal is to capture the essence and splendor of the enchanting creatures I’m portraying, aiming to leave viewers in awe and admiration of their beauty. In every piece I create, the eyes take center stage as they are believed to be the windows to the soul. I prioritize fully rendering the eyes in the initial stages of my work, as it gives life to the creature, imbuing it with character and a sense of communication through its gaze. I enjoy adding dynamic backgrounds that flow seamlessly, inspired by my research on the animals’ diets and habitats.

Currently, I offer my artworks as prints that I meticulously produce in my studio, overseeing every stage of the production process. My next step is to broaden my product range by introducing greeting cards. I firmly believe that maintaining a small-scale operation is more manageable, especially as a solo entrepreneur. However, my ultimate aspiration is to transition into a full-time artist, sharing my creations with a global audience. The thought of my creations being appreciated and cherished by individuals I have never met fills me with immense joy.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

If you find yourself engaged in an activity where time seems to stand still, where you become so engrossed that you lose track of the world around you, it’s essential to prioritize and cultivate those moments of pure immersion and joy in your life. Striving to experience that state of absolute bliss more frequently can lead to a profound sense of fulfillment and contentment. As an artist, this aspect of losing oneself in the creative process is incredibly rewarding and serves as a driving force behind my passion for art. The ability to enter a flow state, where creativity flows effortlessly and time becomes irrelevant, is a gift that I cherish and actively seek to nurture in my artistic endeavors.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to let go of was the pursuit of perfection. I’ve come to understand that perfection is an unattainable ideal. While we can always strive for improvement, true perfection remains elusive. Progressing incrementally and learning along the way is the key to moving forward. Embarking on daunting tasks like starting a business may seem overwhelming, but in today’s world abundant with resources and knowledge, almost anything is achievable (my motto is : “everything is figure-outable”). If we use the difficulty of a goal as an excuse not to pursue it (remember, nothing worthwhile is easy), then perhaps that goal isn’t truly what we desire. When we are truly passionate about something, we will find a way to achieve it, regardless of the challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://idarezaee.art/
• Instagram: @eyed_art
• Twitter: @eyed_art
• Youtube: @eyed_art
• Other: Etsy Shop: https://idartintricate.etsy.com

Image Credits
Ida Rezaee