Interview
Atousa Raissyan
As a child, Atousa Raissyan was always interested in art. She had a unique vision and talent which went unappreciated by others, and this caused her to stop creating visual art until later into her adulthood.
When Atousa was in her early 40’s, going through a life-changing time, she started to paint again and soon after switched to digital art and later into NFTs. It was her way of releasing and healing her trauma, and reconnecting to her higher self. Each artwork is associated with a healing energy as well as an inspirational message or poem. Digital art gives her more flexibility in order to represent the images and the healing transformational message in her artworks.
Atousa wants everyone, especially kids, to know art is whatever you create that brings you joy and love, even if you are the only one enjoying it. No one needs to teach you art, and no one needs to brand your work as art in order for it to be art. Every day we are creators of our lives specially when we create from our heart and have fun. Her message is to go out and create - in color, music, movement, cooking, speaking - in as many shapes and forms as your imagination allows.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am an electrical engineer by education and a creative by birth. Creativity saved my life.”
What inspires you most?
“I am inspired by nature, the poet Rumi, and the magic of life.”
“My art is visionary and spiritual in nature. The underlying message is unconditional love, self love, and connection to divine self.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work takes the viewer on an inspirational healing journey, to shed layers of one’s self and connect back to our truth, which is divine.”
Which artists influence you most?
“If you consider Rumi the poet an artist, then I would say Rumi. There are also many visionary artists whose work I love.”
What is your creative process like?
“Nature inspires me. I see the unseen in nature. I take images of nature and layer and transform them.
When I start an artwork, I really don't know what the end result is going to be. I start to play with the images I take from nature by layering, manipulating and adding to them, and suddenly, the final result comes to me. During the transformation process, the message of the artwork becomes clear. Sometimes they are Rumi quotes, and sometimes the words are from me through a poem or a quote.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role is to inspire people. Everyone is creative in their own way, and we should help inspire others to reconnect with their creative nature.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had many exhibitions. I would say my favorite was my exhibition at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC. You can view my past exhibitions here.
My NFTs can be viewed at https://opensea.io/collection/atousa-raissyan-soulystic. Each NFT video is a visual inspirational journey.”
