Name and surname: Sara Shamma
Country: Syria
Personal website: www.sarashamma.com

1When did you start to make art?
Since childhood. I started painting when I was 4 years old, I used to paint on the floor, the walls, the furniture…etc.

2 How did you evolve into an artist?
I never had a problem to paint in my house, I was always encouraged by my family, I believe that the freedom I had in my family's house helped in making me evolve into an artist.

3 What drove you to make art as a professional activity?
When I was 14 years old I knew that I will become a painter for the rest of my life, I did a portrait of the Beatles and when I looked to it the day after I felt that I can do anything, so I took my decision in that specific moment.

4 Could you explain your inspiration?
I am inspired by everything around me, especially the people and mainly the ones I love, also the music gives me big inspiration, I paint always listening to the music I like. I got married recently with the man who I always wanted and today he is giving me a lot of support and inspiration.

5 In what way does your inspiration transform into ideas?
I wouldn't call my work “ideas�, I don't plan any of my paintings, I just paint.

6 From Ideas to production of art – how? And why?
As I said, without any plan or sketches, I stand in front of the white canvas and I start painting, when I start I don't know where I am going, I enjoy surprising myself. I think the images I store inside my sub conscience come out in my paintings in the way they want, I like that.

7 Could your ideas be portrayed in any other medium? If so which?
If you want to insist on the “ideas� it is ok… My ideas are the ideas of any normal person who loves life and people, so they can be portrayed in all mediums, in poetry, in music, in simple talking among friends…etc. in fact some times I feel the songs of Bob Dylan (who I like a lot) saying the same things I say in my paintings.

8 What does being an artists mean to you?
To me, being an artist means being me; I can never imagine myself in any other activity.

9 How important is the internet/social media for the world of art today?
It is very important, it opens all the world in front of the artist, he can see, participate and communicate.

10 How important is the internet for you in your art activities?
My website is very active and I always use the internet in searching about the news in the art world. It is important.

11 Are you happy with your reasons for making art? i.e Are there any trade offs that make life hard?
There are none in my life, I am happy, I have people around me supporting me, I guess hard work in art pays back.

12 When does your art for you become successful?
Every time my painting gives me something new I feel it successful

13 What is art?
Art is the real freedom.

14 How do you start the process of making work?
I just start

15 Who prices your work? And how is the price decided upon?
I do based on the market

16 What is your next; move, project, show etc.?
I am participating in 'Contemporary Istanbul 2009' the forth edition of an international art fair in Turkey between 3-6 December, I will participate with 7 large oil on canvas paintings, I will be in a stand called 'New Horizons' that is featuring this year: 'Art from Syria'. After Turkey I am going to Kuwait where I will have a Solo Exhibition entitled 'Love' in Mall 360 from 7 to 17 December, I will exhibit 19 large paintings all new (2009) representing Love for me. As for 2010 I have few projects in mind: I will announce some of them in January.

17 What are the pros and contras of the art market?
The art market is a market like the others, it has the same positive and negative aspects, I try to be optimistic.

18 How many artworks have you given away and to whom?
I never gave my paintings, I always sold them.

19 Any routine in making your artwork? If so what?
No routine, art for me is something new every day.

20 Does the country you are from (your culture) play a role in your art?
My paintings do not have any Syrian traditional aspect, but I am sure my country plays a role in my art in a way or in another, in the same time I believe that every country I visit gives me something in my paintings.

21 Who has been the biggest influence on you?
Myself.

22 Which pieces would you like to be remembered for?
I don't care.

23 What would you like to achieve, what are your ambitions?
I want to remain as I am now, renewing myself every day, surrounded by the people I love and producing art from my heart.

24 Anything else you like to say to the Noenga community?
Thank you