Life Captured in an Instant
Written by Natalia Chaves
Meet Daniela Salem, the Artist Who Specializes in What She Calls “Fast Drawing without Fear of Being Perfect”
How We Met:
Daniela was one of the first people I met when I moved to Spain. We were introduced by a mutual friend and funny enough I have a picture from that first day of meeting.
We would hangout from time to time, when all of a sudden, she contacted me that she needed to move out of her apartment. We had an extra room, so of course I said yes, and now two years later we are still roommates, friends, and travel partners. One of my first realizations of her gift was when we were in Granada and she was lagging behind, drawing her surroundings in this tiny notebook. Since then, whenever we traveled together, so did that little notebook. It’s been amazing to watch her get in the zone and see the results of her drawings, the moments that she has captured that I was also a part of. I am very excited to be writing about her and hope everyone feels the same joy I feel when I see her drawings.
Meet Dani
Where are you from?
I am from Caracas, Venezuela.
When did you realize you wanted to make art a career?
From when I was a young girl I liked to paint, during my childhood I participated in various painting classes and art schools. As I continued to grow older I realized that I could live my grand passion of art.
What is your favorite art medium?
My hobby has always been to paint or create with imagination. When I was 13 years old I joined an art academy that left a mark on me as an artist. I still apply all the tools and techniques to this day. After I started to participate in art courses and at 15 I won a course where all the participants were experienced artists and I was the youngest in age and size! Currently my favorite art medium is acrylics and watercolors.
You’re from Venezuela, but we met here in Spain, when did you immigrate here?
I immigrated to Spain in 2016 when I was 18, it was an experience that changed my life completely. The move has given me the opportunity to grow in my personal life.
What is the inspiration behind your artwork?
My inspiration is to find and capture a moment in an instant, in real time. I like to represent through the use of things that convey some emotion to me. You could say that photographers use their cameras to express themselves and communicate, I use my sketchbook or a canvas to convey who I am.
What do you do for work?
Currently I am a high school art teacher and I also work on my personal artwork.
Are you currently working on any projects?
Currently I am working on a project with tote bags. I realized I make fun hand-made designs.
I would love to create a series of paintings that follow the same line of work (the same style) with the aim of getting a larger audience and more clients.
And lastly what is art to you?
Art, to me, is a form of expression of our inner world, through art we reflect ideas, thoughts and emotions.
Please consider supporting Daniela and her art by following her instagram: @artsdsalem
Are you also an artist? Or know of someone who you would like to recognize? Contact us about submitting a piece!
Writer’s socials:
IG: @natchaves17
Tik Tok: @justnatthings