Galissa - Shalfetr | Trailblazer Magazine

Beads Embroidery

Shalfetr

BY ANA TREVIÑO

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Sparkling gore and intense delicacy — that was my initial reaction upon encountering Galissa's art, known as Shalfetr, on Instagram. I've never encountered such artistry in the realm of embroidery; hers is truly unparalleled. Captivated by every detail, every stitch and bead, I had to learn more about the artist behind these marvelous creations. Unsurprisingly, just like the intricacies of her work, Galissa's answers were poignant and concise. They opened a Pandora's box of wonders, revealing the delightful story of how her work evolved into such jaw-dropping pieces. We hope you enjoy first-hand the wonders behind her creations.

How did your journey into embroidery begin? Can you tell us about your first experience with it?

I graduated from an art school when I was a teen, but after that, I didn't return to art for many years, because I grew tired of it during the 8 years of schooling. After several years, I began to feel I was missing creativity in my life. One day I discovered embroidery, and there was no turning back.

My embroidery journey started with threads and patches, then I had a quick run with pins made out of threads. I enjoyed embroidering with threads, but I often felt that my works lacked something. Until I discovered for myself the whole world of beads.

I enjoy the process of bead embroidery, because it reminds me of assembling a mosaic from small pieces. I've embroidered animals, landscapes, and various other things with beads, but embroidering portraits is the most fascinating to me. I enjoy studying people's faces and observing how a few beads sewn together can create a lively gaze.

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move me around!

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Your art is notorious for its horror film themes. I’m curious as to how you decided to merge your love for horror with your love for embroidery.

I guess it all started about 3-4 years ago when I was commissioned to make the Carrie pin. This was the moment when I realized I actually like embroidering blood in beads, it looks so intriguing.

Many people associate embroidery either with something frivolous or something luxurious. Embroidering creepy characters or something eerie creates a contradictory and unexpected effect, and perhaps that's why my works draw interest.

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Aside from horror, what other themes or ideas do you also gravitate towards that perhaps are overlooked in your pieces?

I’m obsessed with music and movies, so some celebrities and characters are really inspirational for me. For example, when I watch a movie and witness a character in their full splendor, I am instantly compelled to embroider them. This inspiration keeps me motivated and persists until I complete the piece.

I also love art museums, and sometimes I use paintings as references for my projects. My choice is always driven by my sentiments towards something.

Can you describe the satisfaction after seeing a new artwork finished. Who are the first people you tell, or show?

My embroidery process is all about improvisation. I never know in advance what beads I will use, so I never know how a project will look when it’s finished. And I guess that’s what I love about my embroidery process – I always surprise myself.

My husband is the first person who sees my finished project. He played a crucial role in supporting and encouraging me at the beginning of my embroidery journey. Without his support, I may not have pursued embroidery as a career.

What has been the hardest piece to craft thus far? How do you determine the difficulty and complexity of a piece?

I love challenges in the embroidery process because they keep it interesting, and they help you learn something new. For example, recently I started making purses, even though I had never sewn them before. And while my purses are far from perfect, I am proud of myself for not being afraid to take on such serious projects.

The most difficult projects for me are those that require a lot of time, and the difficulty lies in not getting bored with them while I work on them. So far, the most challenging project in this regard was the Medusa purse.

move me around!

Which piece has been the most satisfying to see its completion?

Jibaro Siren.

When I started creating her, I didn't even think I would use anything other than beads, but gradually ideas came to my mind one after another. I wanted to use as many diverse materials as possible to bring her portrait as close as possible to the original image. Along with the beads, there are lots of sequins and jewelry pieces used, and the most awesome thing about it is that at least half of those details are older than me. Everything fell into place beautifully, and I could never have expected such a wonderful result, let alone the popularity of this piece.

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As an artist can you navigate us through your creative process? From idea to conceptualization to finished art work. Where does your mind go? What rituals do you have, if any, or is each new piece of art an entirely new journey of its own?

I think my creative process doesn't differ much from that of a painter. Beads for me are like paint for an artist. You could say I paint with beads. I have about 200 types and colors of them which I keep organized in a strict order. Knowing all of them by heart helps a lot during the embroidery process.

When it comes to rituals, I have one rule that I always follow - after completing a project, I tidy up my workspace to perfection, it gives me a sense of a clean slate for a new project.

Is there an idea or character that you have been wanting to create but have not had the time or chance to?

I have a whole list of people and characters whom I’d like to depict in beads, and this list keeps updating. And it's not just some random or popular people in it - each of them has influenced me at some point in my life.

What advice would you give to anyone that wants to pursue embroidery or creative arts in general?

Is there anything you would change about your own personal journey?

Trust the process and don’t be hard on yourself. As a material, beads are often unpredictable, and you never know exactly what you will get in the end. So, don’t be afraid to experiment. Listen to your feelings and intuition when choosing beads for your art.

Everything comes from experience. Some people consider me talented, but I can't agree. I wasn't born with this talent, I practiced a lot and what people see now is the result of five years of practising.

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I’m curious, in your opinion and personal experience, what place does embroidery have to impact the future of fashion and the art world?

I believe there will always be a place for embroidery in one form or another in the world. It's enjoyable for me to see how creative people can be when they find new roles for embroidery, and with the advancement of technology, there are increasingly more opportunities to experiment and create something absolutely new and exciting.