Art & Life with Sima Schloss

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sima Schloss.

Sima, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
There’s no direct path to finding your true passion. I’ve known that I was artist since the day I learned how to use a pencil. I don’t think my life really started until I moved to New York City immediately after college and have lived there ever since. I’ve had a variety of jobs until finally I started working as an art teacher for ESL and GED programs at the Metropolitan Museum of art and fell in love with it. I started working at a community college teaching ESL and art to students and got my first Masters in Teaching English as A second language.

The whole time I was doing this, I was still making work, but I wasn’t chasing my passion hard enough, partially out of fear and because I had no idea how to go about it. It was when I had broken up with my long-term boyfriend and started reading ” New Markets for Artists: How to sell, Fund Projects, and Exhibit Using Social Media, DIY Pop Ups, eBay and Kickstarter ” by Brainard Carey which changed the course of my life. It motivated me in a way I never thought possible. In the book I read about an artist named Terri Lloyd (www.terrilloyd.net) and how she created her own path in the art world. (FYI I’m honored to call her my friend now!) I started learning about social media and posting my work regularly and applied to every show I could find. When I started doing this in the back of my mind I had always wanted to get my MFA in Painting but I never thought it would be possible.

But as fate would have it, one day I was looking at NYFA.org in the opportunities section and I saw an advertisement for a part time MFA program at Lehman College in the Bronx. I had 1 week to get my application in and managed to get it in on time. Getting my MFA is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. My professors were so supportive and encouraging – It was 3 of the best years of my life. My work evolved and I gained self-confidence about my career as an artist which I had never thought possible. I also started going to residencies in the summers- In the summer of 2016 I went to The Vermont studio Center. It was there that I’ve met some of my best friends and artists soul mates. Since then my work has been in a number of group shows, art fairs and different publications. I am still chasing my dream and really enjoying the ride while doing so!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Human beings are complex creatures. I have found that in order to truly know and understand who a person is, it takes many years to see who they are. Why so long? People seem to have layers and reveal themselves slowly and only in different situations. Perhaps we never know someone until we see them in love, despair or in danger.

Understanding the masks and layers we hide behind is the focus of my work. My process involves creating blind contour drawings and disseminating them. I assemble them back together in different ways. The tearing and putting together the ripped pieces is similar to how human beings process emotions.  My goal is to tell all the stories that every person holds within themselves.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
First and foremost get a strong support system and find a mentor – Trust me its life changing!! And ask questions and be open to learning!! and most importantly- STAY Persistent!! Don’t give up!

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Check out my website www.simaschloss.com
OR
Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/simzee/
https://www.facebook.com/sima.schloss
and shoot me a note!! Love to connect with followers!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simaschloss.com
• Email: sima@simaschloss.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simzee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sima.schloss

Image Credit:
Credit by Ogata Photography

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