We were lucky to catch up with Naseem Shahrivar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Naseem thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I started drawing and painting at an early age, as my parents were both artists. However, I never trusted being an artist for a steady income and it took a back seat for a lot of years. I am definitely curious as to what would have happened if I had the confidence to let go and fully immerse myself in art.

Naseem, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I’m Naseem, operator and creator of Plumb Prickly Art. My parents are both artists and introduced me to drawing and painting at a very young age. In junior high school I was painting intricate, realistic floral watercolor paintings, and my parents would sell them in their gallery/b&b. I majored in art at COE College, where I earned my Bachelors, and switched up my style to abstract art. I’ve continued to paint throughout my life, outside of the demands of traditional work life. Over the years I’ve shifted back to a more realistic style but incorporate my abstract techniques. I’ve painted a couple of murals in small town Minnesota, as well as a few painted statues.
My favorite medium to work with is oil paint, but I’m very experienced with watercolor and acrylics. Painting anything from landscapes to pet or people portraits. I spent the past few years as a teacher, now substitute teaching, and am finally at a point where I feel the absolute need to put my art in the forefront of my life.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I have dealt with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and migraines for most of my life. Tried finding the source but was unsuccessful for a very long time. I have always just pushed through. It can be difficult to find creative energy at times when you have almost no energy to begin with. A couple of years ago, I started getting even more ill, and after two years of testing, found that I had toxic mold poisoning, which led to my finding that I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. My art took a back seat while I researched my condition and I went from nearly bedridden to back to work and back to painting in a little over six months.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The act of creating. I’m a very hands-on person. You could find me hand painting a little table that I built for my cats so they could sit in the window, and it’ll be the most happy you’ll ever see me. Painting brings me genuine joy and I’m forever grateful for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.plumbpricklyart.com