Shira Barzilay

Photo Courtesy Of Shira Barzilay

WHERE ARE YOUR RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?

 I'm currently living in Tel Aviv. I’ve been here for the past 14 years.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?

I was born in Israel, but moved to South Africa for five years, then back to Israel, and then we relocated to the USA for another four years.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?

Tel Aviv is warm, energetic and full of life. I love the people, and how relatively close everything is, since it’s not so big. It’s condensed with all people I love, and there’s the beach of course which is also great during wintertime. 

WHY ART?

I had to work my way up to become an artist. A lot of maturing to do. But now I’m proud to say it’s the thing that comes most natural to me and what I love doing the most. I love to create, and express myself. It has the capacity to relax and exhilarate at the same time. It’s therapeutic and transcendent to so many aspects in my life. I learn so much during the process. My background was in fashion design (studies at the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design), particularly in fashion illustration. I was also the graphic editor for a fashion magazine for many years. That’s where my interest laid most. With time I started to notice my language expanded beyond the fashion dictionary, and I found myself exploring outward. I started my own business designing temporary tattoos and selling them on koketit.com. They were a smash hit and it gave me the motivation to continue with my crazy ideas. As my Instagram started to take off, I realized the power in art for the sake of art and I finally got the confidence to become an artist.

HOW DID YOU ACQUIRE THE SKILL?

I equate this a lot due to my Instagram. Creating posts on a daily basis really enforced my creative thought and helped me develop slowly but consistently toward being an artist with a strong set of skills. Being consistent is key and practicing your art is the only real way one can acquire their skill. There are NO SHORTCUTS. The process is the art itself. It’s the art of the practice and that practice that is the art. They go hand in hand. 

WHAT'S YOUR PREFERRED MEDIUM?

I enjoy creating digital art the most and lately I began exploring with VR art which is a brand new world I’m eager to learn as I feel it IS THE FUTURE.

WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?

It depends on the project and medium I’m working on. I try to get a rhythm going by creating in sessions. It’s important because there is a process with creation that is similar to a physical workout. At first you have to warm up and once you get going, that’s when you really start the burn. The best ideas come to me when I’m deep in art session mode, listening to great music and just am lost in my own world. 

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

Inspiration is everywhere and is totally random. I always say it’s a mood and is conceived like a very intricate equation it’s hard to put your finger on it. Inspiration is illusive, amorphic. When all else fails, good music will always help me get in some kind of mood.

 WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?

 Right now I’m in the middle of the Black Friday sale on my website. I really put a lot of time and effort making sure my art is accessible to everyone. Kokekit is a one woman show and I am in charge of it all so it can get hectic sometimes. But the multiple aspects of my business keep me sharp and curious and I’m thankful for that. It’s so stimulating. 

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?

My influences are as wide and diverse as a mosaic tiles that help pave a road for me to walk on.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSONAL STYLE SENSE AND SENSIBILITY?

I love  a minimalist but warm aesthetic. My personal style is very casual, and since COVID I’ve been mainly wearing sweatpants. I’m a vegetarian, border vegan because I love animals so much. I’m always listening to music in the house. I love classical – especially Chopin - but also a lot of different styles. Lately I’ve been listening to Jungle, Limon Limon, Thievery corporation and Men I Trust. I love nature, especially the sea and try to go everyday. I work from home, my studio, office and living space are all together in one apt and I love it that way.

WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?

I wash my face with soap every morning and then put on oil serum. I keep it simple. I’m also a huge advocate for Botox and light cosmetic treatments. They can go a long long way in a fairly inexpensive and non invasive procedures. Its amazing, really. 

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?

I meditate every morning before I begin my day. It’s the best thing in the world. It’s like pushing the restart button and starting fresh and clean.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

I’m obsessed with my new Oculus Quest VR Gaming Headset Besides drawing in VR, I’m flying, dancing and riding roller coasters. It’s insanely cool.