Artist in conversation: Chilla Mosby
“ even if my hand is guiding images, they are created by the emotions that pass through me .”
Chilla Mosby is an oil paint virtuoso with a passion for gouache who only developed her artistic soul later in life. Her approach reflects a combination of oil painting and origami, which distinguishes her style by symbolically integrating nature and art. The art pieces convey an emotional urgency about the loss of nature and call for appreciation and preservation of our environment.
Ice
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
My inspiration to become an artist is deeply rooted in my desire to convey joy, inspire reflection, and make the invisible visible. From a young age, I was fascinated by art's power to portray complex emotions and unspoken truths. The joy I found in painting or drawing sparked my desire to share these emotions with others.
I accepted the challenge of exploring techniques and materials by doing trial and error without any formal training. This period of self-learning was tough but rewarding since it gave me the opportunity to analyze my feelings and make them physical and visible for other people. This introspective method enables me create art that not only reflects my inner world but also a universal language that emotionally connects with viewers and promotes personal reflection.
Constant evolutionary process has shaped the development of my unique style, study of different art forms, and deep reflection on my own experiences and beliefs. I drew inspiration from nature, human emotions, and social issues that moved me. Over time, I learned how to subtly communicate my messages through colour, form, and medium, resulting in a style that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also thought-provoking.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
In my artwork, I explore the combination of origami and oil painting, a style I refer to as "Origami meets Oilpainting". This unique approach allows me to combine the precision and geometric beauty of origami with the vibrant and expressive depth of oil painting. The combination of these two art forms opens up new perspectives and textures that could not be achieved in traditional painting or paper folding alone.
Can you elaborate on how your artworks symbolically merges nature and art?
A central motif in my work is the "extinction of the beauty of our nature". I am drawn to this theme because it represents an urgent and emotional reaction to the environmental crises of our time. By depicting the fragile beauty of natural forms, symbolised by finely folded origami figures embedded in vibrant yet thought-provoking oil paintings, I aim to draw attention to the fragility and dwindling richness of our natural environment. These works are a call not to take the beauty of nature for granted, but to recognise it as something precious that needs to be protected and preserved.
Can you describe your creative process and how you approach starting a new piece?
The process often begins with the fleeting, unique moments of everyday life that trigger a strong emotional resonance in me. These occurrences - whether it's a particular incidence of light through the leaves of a tree, a brief but meaningful moment between people, or the various forms of water - are the spark that ignites my inspiration. When I am captured by such a moment, I take the time to reflect and sketch the emotion and the atmosphere. I mentally draw the first lines and form possible concepts. The next step is to experiment with materials and techniques. This is where origami comes in, where I fold paper into shapes that reflect the feelings and themes of my concept. At the same time, I prepare the canvas, choose colours and apply the first layers. The oil colours allow me to create depth and intensity that reinforce the emotional core of the work. Bringing origami and painting together is a dialogue process where each element reacts to the other and both complement each other. The end result is a work of art that is not only visually appealing, but also captures the original emotion of the inspiring moment and brings it to life for the viewer.
Is there a specific piece of art you've created that holds special meaning to you?
This work depicts a paper picture floating on a lake and symbolises the carefree lightness of life as we experience it as children. It reminds us that we should not lose this lightness and joy, not even as adults. The creation of "Lightness" marked a turning point in my artistic work, as it was the first time that I dealt intensively with geometric shapes. This challenge led to a fascinating journey of discovery into the world of geometry, which profoundly changed my previous understanding of form and space. The precise work with shapes and the play with perspective opened up new creative possibilities and led me to further refine and experiment with my technique. "Lightness" is therefore not only a visual work that speaks to viewers emotionally but also a personal symbol of growth and discovery in my artistic career. It is a constant reminder of how important it is to dare to try new things and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Hummingbird
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
In my artistic practice, I really value feedback from critics and the public, as it enables me to look at my work from new perspectives. I find it enriching and exciting to see how other people interpret my art and what emotions or thoughts it triggers in them. Every piece of feedback, whether critical or complimentary, is welcome as it gives me the chance to see things differently and deepen my understanding of the impact of my art. I harmonise this feedback with my own artistic intuition by remaining open to suggestions without losing my personal vision. It's a balancing act between taking in external influences and staying true to my own creative instincts. Feedback often leads to me becoming more experimental and integrating new themes or techniques into my work. I find it particularly inspiring when I receive photos of natural spectacles or special moments from my audience. Such images have often inspired me to create new works by touching me emotionally and challenging me creatively. This kind of interaction reinforces my belief that art is a dialogue process that is enriched by both personal introspection and exchange with others.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
My motivation and inspiration remain strong, even through setbacks or creative blockages, because my artistic activity is not work for me, but a deep passion. This inner passion helps me to avoid pressure and remain open to unexpected twists and turns in the creative process. If something doesn't go exactly as I had planned, I don't see it as a mistake, but as an opportunity to discover something new. An unsuccessful brushstroke can be the start of a completely new idea - a simple hei might turn into a whale shark. This flexibility in dealing with the unplanned keeps my creativity alive and my projects fresh. I also give myself the freedom to take breaks when I feel I need them. I use these times to recuperate and draw inspiration from other sources, be it nature, literature, travelling or conversations with others. These experiences enrich my perspective and feed my art in new and unexpected ways. By understanding that art is fluid and dynamic, I can face challenges calmly and remain motivated and productive even in difficult times.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I am very excited about the opportunity to exhibit my artwork at Holy Art Gallery. I find the concept of the gallery particularly interesting and appealing as it seems to be innovative and offers a fresh look at the presentation of art. As the exhibition takes place in Tokyo, I see a perfect opportunity to present my artwork "Place" from my Origami series. This artwork fits very well thematically and aesthetically in the context of a city known for its rich cultural history and modern take on traditional arts. The combination of traditional Japanese paper-folding art with modern oil painting could be an intriguing element in Tokyo's dynamic art scene and hopefully appeal to audiences both locally and internationally.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My long-term goal as an artist is for the name Chilla Mosby to become known and recognised in the art scene. To achieve this goal, I plan to increase my visibility through regular exhibitions in both renowned galleries and emerging artistic spaces. In addition, I want to increase my presence in art networks and on international art platforms to reach a wider audience. The positioning of my art is also crucial. I aim to present my work in contexts that emphasise both the depth and uniqueness of my technique and expression. This includes forging strategic partnerships with galleries and art educators who can share and support my vision. Another important aspect is the continuous development of my artistic work. I plan to continuously explore new techniques and sharpen my skills through workshops, courses and exchanges with other artists. This will not only improve the quality of my artwork, but also ensure that I remain thematically relevant and innovative. Through these concentrated efforts, I hope to elevate my art to a level that is not only recognised but also sustainable in the art world, thus establishing my artistic footprint for the long term.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
Emotions play a crucial role in my creative process; they are what guide my brush. Every work of art begins with a feeling or a mood that moves me deeply and that I want to express visually. The choice of my subject matter and the colour scheme are key means of conveying these emotions. By consciously choosing subjects that touch me personally and colours that reinforce the desired atmosphere and mood, I create works that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but can also trigger profound emotional reactions in the viewer. I believe that the interpretation and emotional response to my paintings is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone sees and experiences art in their own way, based on personal experiences, feelings and thoughts. Therefore, I do not strive to force a specific reaction, but invite viewers to explore their own emotional experiences through my art. Ultimately, I see myself in the role of facilitator - even if my hand is guiding images, they are created by the emotions that pass through me. This approach allows for an honest and authentic artistic expression that hopefully resonates and has a profound effect on the viewer.