Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to WERIEM. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

WERIEM, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I always wanted to follow a creative path, specifically as a visual artist. I have a vivid memory of myself at four years old, sitting at my father’s desk and drawing cats, while announcing to him that I wanted to be an illustrator. In first grade, when I learned my first poem, I aspired to become a poet. At the age of eight, as I developed a sense of fashion, I expressed my desire to be a stylist when I grew up. This cycle of aspirations continued until my scientific parents convinced me that anything artistic should be pursued as a hobby, and that I should have a “real job.” As a result, I ended up going to college to study biology, as I thought it was the only science degree where my drawing skills could be handy (spoiler alert: they were not!)

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m a self-taught visual artist driven by a passion for the performing arts, a keen eye for detail, and a love for historical elements. Before diving into the visual arts and moving from France to my current home in Chicago, I actually earned a PhD in science from Université de Lille. But after defending my thesis, I decided to pursue a career as a costume designer.

For a decade, I had the incredible opportunity to design historically inspired costumes for the Royal Swedish Opera, the Boston Early Music Festival, Haymarket Opera, and many more! And between shows, I took various commissioned illustrations, from custom cards to CD covers and projections during concerts!

About a year ago, I made a conscious choice to slow down the costume side of my work and focus on sharing my artwork directly with collectors. I love capturing the theatricality of life on paper! I mainly use colored pencils, layering pigments to create depth, saturation, and energy in my drawings. And when I work with black ink, I love playing with striking contrasts to create bold and graphic compositions. Each piece I create invites viewers to connect with their own imaginary theater, often sprinkled with a touch of drama!

These days, I meet art lovers at local events in my city and also connect with people from around the world online. It’s mind-boggling to think that my drawings now decorate the walls of homes just a few streets away from me, as well as those on the other side of the globe!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think “Pivot” should be my middle name! I have experienced several pivots throughout my life. I grew up in France, then moved to Tunisia as a teenager, and later returned to France for college. After completing my PhD in biology, I moved to the USA and simultaneously started to design costumes for live performances. This shift involved adapting to a new language, culture, and transitioning from the field of science to the arts. Looking back, I am grateful that I approached these changes with enthusiasm while keeping my expectations in check. Although the pressure came later, my consistent determination eventually paid off!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The experience of creative block can be challenging to convey, especially to non-creatives or artists who don’t create art from a blank page. It is often perceived as a lack of ideas, but in my case, it goes beyond that. The ideas are present, but they lack that special spark that propels you to go above and beyond. They feel dull and unworthy of exploration. We’ve all seen the image of a writer scribbling a few paragraphs on paper only to crumple it up moments later!

While it’s important to recognize that artist’s block is a normal part of the creative process and is temporary, I am still learning how to smoothly navigate it. Taking a pause or changing my surroundings has worked for me in the past, but I also want to learn how to work through it and accept that the current work may not be my favorite until that spark returns. Additionally, I am eager to experience artist residencies to see how immersing myself in a creative bubble with other artists, far from everyday little distractions, can impact my creative flow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://weriem.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/weriem
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057836776396
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weriem-visual-artist-8131b24a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuiKVlNy_OiYcFGKjTmPjrA

Image Credits
Photo credit: Devinne Stevens, Jen’s lens and Weriem.