Nicole Foote of Setting Mind interviews Barzilay to learn more.
Foote: Your work is distinct and stunning. How did you come about developing this artistic style?
Barzilay: I’ve been drawing over photos for years. I used to draw my KOKETIT figure as fashion illustration and would add her on photos as a fashion editorial. Fashion was my world and my interest. I proclaimed myself a fashion illustrator until one day a friend pointed out that in actuality, I was only working in fashion 20 percent of the time. I didn’t realize that my work has shifted out into other areas while I was still insisting on calling myself a fashion illustrator.
Soon after I dropped the “fashion” from my title and stayed with illustrator. Then, as I started to explore my art more and more, eventually I agreed to being a digital artist. You could argue its just a title, but I believe that one must know exactly how to define oneself. It is crucial. This notion led to the liberations of my lines, from the strict rules I had inflicted on myself. Being an artist comes with a certain responsibility – to be truthful. Your job is to relay an idea that will ultimately touch others in some way. Having that in mind, my work with photos changed to what it is today and is still changing always.
What messages or emotions do you hope people will draw from your work?
Every image, every post – expresses what I felt the exact moment I created it. It’s completely autobiographical like writing a journal. So when other people relate to it – It makes me feel connected to them. We all share those human moments of sadness, loneliness, longing, regret, excitement, and pleasure. It’s very simple. I like simple. I try to simplify my life. Have less drama. I still fail at it 😊. Be more direct and honest. I had a long journey getting there.
It used to be all about more is more. Now, my delight in conveying my deep emotional state in just a few minimalistic lines is a constant practice and source of fulfillment. I hope that people see that authenticity and that it would inspire them to seek that in themselves. We all have our own journeys in life, and they are so unique and individual.
Can you walk us through your creative process when creating a new piece?
The process always begins in curating photos. I search for a photo that speaks to me. It can be instant, and it can take an hour of rigorous online search. It doesn’t always depend on the photos themselves, but mostly my emotional state. The intensity of what I want to say. How badly I need to express myself at the moment. It’s a mix between going through the motions, feeling inspired, and having a drive to get myself motivated to act on all those emotions. Sometimes it feels like magic. Then, when all those forces come together, comes the easy part – of letting it out on the screen. It’s a process of letting go. My hand does most of the work.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Everywhere. Inspiration is all around us. It’s our mind that puts limitations.
It seems the quote “the world is my canvas” is your motto and slogan. Can you explain the personal significance of this statement?
As a digital artist, I always preferred the screen over the paper. Something about having more options really speaks to me. I get bored really easily and am always looking for ways to challenge myself. When I draw on the screen – my canvas can be anything and I am bound by nothing. You just gotta open up your imagination and anything Is available. I love that I can draw on a building without needing a single ladder. I can create anything I want.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
