Meet Mojdeh Saleh | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mojdeh Saleh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mojdeh, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I feel alive when I am creating. It’s invigorating and a joyful process. It’s not always paint on canvas; it can be arranging flowers in the house or preparing food. I feel you can’t go wrong and there is no such thing as a mistake. Also, I’m programmed as a right brain person.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A couple years after my daughter was born, I felt compelled to paint. One day, as I was window shopping for her room, I saw a postcard of a beautiful garden fairy. I picked it up as inspiration and went for it. To my astonishment, I painted it quite well having no prior experience.

From then on, I would stay up late at night painting, sometimes until 3 or 4 in the morning, my body somehow overriding the exhaustion of mothering a toddler. I was amazed at how much ease I felt in this new hobby. Even more, I was shocked at the quality of the results.

I remember thinking to myself after finishing a portrait of my sister that this couldn’t be my own talent’s merit. Maybe a muse was visiting me, working through me.

It seemed that I had a particular knack for realistic portraits, so that’s what I honed in on. I continued to paint and get inspiration from other artists work, carefully examining the colors and brush strokes. Later I would take random classes, mostly figure drawing but also some painting classes. I was lucky to come across some wonderful private art classes and instructors.

That all changed when I took a weekend class with Stewart Cubley, “The Painting Experience.”

I was happy to abandon what I knew and allow the creative energy to guide me instinctually. My perfectionism shedding off of me, allowing a side of freedom to take over that I never felt creatively—or even in my own identity—before.

Through the years I would continue this very freeing, but at times, uncomfortable process with Stewart and his online courses.  The unruly nature of the work brings forth surprising results. In short I can say I became the observer of my emotions and felt empowered.

Stepping into the unknown and the mystery eventually became a way of living my personal life. Learning to trust and take action without expectation. Allowing room to be surprised at the answers without fear. Coupled with years of classes with The School of Practical Philosophy had also prepared me spiritually to connect with that eternal, ambiguous aspect of myself. It was from here that I was primed to face the unknown in my personal life — feeling empowered to face the challenges, knowing that uncharted territory was not a threat, but a journey.

Through the adversities, I had another urge. I knew to trust it. I wanted to marry the art that gave me a real-time practice to cater to my intuition with the philosophies of life and resilience I learned from my own adversities. My practice, “Off The Wall Artist” was born.

Today, I am continually growing the brand as a service to others. From children to adults, I specialize in intuitive painting, a practice that reveals answers that might otherwise be hidden under the noise of today’s modern world. I believe we need to hear ourselves more than ever—and this practice is my way of getting there..

In collaboration with Life Coach Behnoush Babzani and the Clarity program we created art programs for kids and retreats for adults. Bringing spirituality, mindfulness and creativity we are better people. We can connect to our higher Self, our consciousness, for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I just love being surrounded by beauty. Whether I’m by myself or in good company I feel elated visiting the wine country, Carmel by the Sea, museums in San Francisco, restaurants with ambience and delicious nourishing food. One of my favorite things to do is to visit the historic mansion and garden Filoli in Woodside. Roadtrips are my favorite thing to do and l enjoy getting off the main road and finding delightful places.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley The School of Practical Philosophy with Mariam Safinia
Clarity Program by Behnoush Babzani
Moonkissed Collective by Yasmin Bahrami

Website: OffTheWallArtist.com

Instagram: Mojdeh@OffTheWallArtist

Image Credits
Mojdeh Saleh