Don’t let this Creative fool you, she studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting, and works in commercial banking at a Big 4.
Her corporate gig has never stopped her from trying new things - she has traveled to 32 countries, competed in a Bikini IFBB and INBA competition, cycled from Edinburgh to London with a second hand $300 bike while couch surfing, lived abroad in the US and Canada and then one day, on a whim, decided to start writing a novel.
Each of these experiences inspiring her to stay curious, to keep learning and to keep trying.
She wrote, before she drew.
With the beautiful chance encounters and wonderful places she had seen on her travels, she decided to self publish her first novel, Strayed Love. This novel began after she touched down in Canada, June 2014, where she lived abroad. Sheleila returned to her hometown in Perth, Western Australia, in October 2016 and had her (3 day) book launch at the Every Woman Expo in June 2017. She never knew this would be the start of her creative journey.
The more she does, the more she realises she can do, blessed with courage and persistence. The rest has only been a skill, taught, pursued.
Prior to August 2019, stick figures were her thang but her admiration of paintings had her seek professional mentorship and start learning from the very beginning - how to draw. She found Hamid Abassi (through her wonderful eyebrow lady), a world famous Artist, and commenced classes with him, learning the art.
That's how it all started... and the journey continues...
2022 is going to bring a refreshed version of her original novel, Strayed Love, which will be published through MMH Press. It will also be the year of paintings and prints, but it won't take her away from the OG personalised sketch commissions that got her here.
Sheleila has two styles of painting - one explores her interest in diversity, nudity and the human form, and the other is minimalistic with lines and circles, representing the journey and the circle of life.
Her intention is to share her unique pieces with the world, to bring wonder into households while inspiring and encouraging others to try new things themselves and leave no stone unturned in this lifetime.